Article: Marginal Maternal Biotin Deficiency in CD-1 Mice Reduces Fetal Mass of Biotin-dependent Carboxylases1,2

ABSTRACT

Marginal maternal biotin deficiency reduces hepatic activity of biotin-dependent carboxylases and causes high rates of fetal birth defects in mice. We tested the hypothesis that the decreased carboxylase activity observed in deficient dams and their offspring is mediated by decreased abundance of biotinylated carboxylases, decreased expression of their mRNAs, or both. During gestation, CD-1 mice were fed a diet that induced biotin deficiency or a biotin-sufficient diet. On gestational d 17, gravid uteri were removed, and each live fetus was examined grossly for defects. The expected high incidence of cleft palate (83%) in offspring was observed. In maternal and fetal liver, ...

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