Tissue vitamin C levels of guinea pig offspring are influenced by maternal vitamin C intake during pregnancy

The effect of a low to excessive maternal vitamin C intake during pregnancy on the vitamin C concentration of plasma and tissues of guinea pig dams and their pups was evaluated on the day of birth of the litter. Darns were provided low (0.15 g/kg diet) (n = 7 litters), normal (0.50 g/kg) (n = 2 litters), or excess (10 g/kg) (n = 8 litters) dietary vitamin C levels. Maternal weight gain during pregnancy, gestational length, and weight and crown-rump length of pups were similar among vitamin C groups. For plasma, vitamin C values were 5 fold higher for FLIPS and darns of the excess vitamin C group, compared with pups and dams of the low vitamin C group (P < 0.005, P < 0.001, respectively). For liver, vitamin C values were 4 to 5 fold higher for pups and dams of the excess maternal group, compared with pups and darns of the low vitamin C group (P < 0.005 P < 0.005, respectively). For adrenals, values were 2 to 3.5 fold higher for pups and darns of the excess vitamin C group, compared with the low ascorbic acid group (P < 0.01, P < 0.005, respectively). For cerebellum, values were 150% higher for pups of the excess vitamin C group compared with pups of the low vitamin C group (P < 0.01). Vitamin C levels of plasma and tissues, for pups and dams, were similar between the low and normal vitamin C groups and between the normal and excess vitamin C groups. Thus, plasma and tissue vitamin C concentration of pups, but not litter outcomes, are influenced by maternal vitamin C intake.