The role of vitamin A and its pro-vitamin carotenoids in fetal and neonatal programming: gaps in knowledge and metabolic pathways

Abstract

Vitamin A (VA) and its pro-vitamin carotenoids are naturally occurring lipophilic compounds involved in several cellular processes and metabolic pathways. Despite their broad spectrum of activities in the general population, dietary deficiencies of these compounds can potentially affect pregnancy outcomes. Since maternal nutritional status and diet composition during pregnancy and lactation can have long-lasting effects in offspring until adulthood, this study presents an overview of VA and the role of pro-VA carotenoids during pregnancy and lactation - the nutrition, metabolism, and biological effects in the offspring. The review aimed to discuss the pro-VA carotenoids and VA-associated pathways and summarize the results with reference to gestational disorders, and VA and pro-VA carotenoids as preventive agents. Also, considering that obesity, overweight, and metabolic diseases are major public health concerns worldwide, fetal and neonatal development is discussed, highlighting the physiological role of these molecules in obesity prevention. This review comprehensively summarizes the current data and shows the potential impact of these compounds on nutritional status in pregnancy and lactation.

Keywords: fetal programming; maternal nutrition; obesity; pro-vitamin A carotenoids; vitamin A.