Scientias · Wetenschap

Vitamin B12 levels in prospective fathers may matter

Research from Shanghai suggests that higher vitamin B12 levels in both parents, including fathers, are associated with fewer birth defects in their children. While the results are promising, the researchers emphasize that more evidence is needed before concrete advice can be given.

A study of 3.032 Chinese couples, which involved blood collection in the months preceding conception, indicated that higher vitamin B12 levels in both mothers and fathers correlated with a lower incidence of birth defects. This research expands upon previous studies on folic acid to explore the role of vitamin B12 in fathers prior to conception.

Vitamin B12 plays a role in one-carbon metabolism, which is essential for DNA synthesis and the production of methyl groups that influence gene regulation. Changes in the father's diet during sperm production could potentially affect these 'chemical flags' on the DNA, although mechanistic evidence in humans is still lacking.

The researchers drew blood three months before conception, as sperm formation and maturation take approximately that period. However, they stress that sperm quality and chemical markers were not measured, leaving the optimal duration for supplementation speculative.

The study identified 73 cases of birth defects, accounting for approximately 2,4% of pregnancies. Due to the limited number of cases, the researchers could not establish precise threshold values for vitamin B12. The prevalence of defects was higher in fathers with lower B12 levels, but the margins of uncertainty were considerable.

No reliable threshold was identified below which the risk of defects clearly increases, nor a value above which additional B12 has no further effect. Patterns differed between mothers and fathers, but the sample size was not precise enough to translate these into concrete target or cutoff values. There is also no evidence of harmful effects from high doses of B12, but unnecessarily high intakes are not recommended.

Despite the association, lead researcher Guoying Huang advises against directly taking B12 supplements based on this study alone. He advocates for broadening the conversation about nutrition and health before conception to include both partners. For vegetarians and vegans, in whom a B12 deficiency is more common, the existing advice to ensure adequate intake through fortified foods or supplements remains unchanged, although the study could not link dietary choices to defects.

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