The importance of iron and folic acid supplementation in pregnancy and strategies to improve outcomes

Background: Iron and folic acid are essential micronutrients for reproductive health. While supplementation is common during pregnancy, excessive intake may disrupt hormonal balance and impair fertility. Aim: To evaluate the effects of iron and folic acid supplementation and overdose on fertility and reproductive hormone levels in female mice. Methodology: An experimental study was conducted on 36 female mice divided into six groups receiving different doses of folic acid, iron, or combinations of both for seven days. Reproductive hormone levels were measured, and pregnancy and fertility rates were assessed. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and chi-square tests. Results: Iron-treated mice showed a significant reduction in luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels (p<0.001) and no pregnancies occurred in these groups. Low-dose folic acid improved pregnancy and fertility rates compared to high-dose folic acid (p=0.034). Conclusion: High-dose iron causes infertility in female mice by disrupting hormonal balance, while normal doses of folic acid enhance fertility. These findings highlight the need for cautious micronutrient supplementation and medical supervision during pregnancy.