Altered Preconception Fatty Acid Intake Is Associated with Improved Pregnancy Rates in Overweight and Obese Women Undertaking in Vitro Fertilisation

Abstract

Maternal preconception diet is proposed to affect fertility. Prior research assessing the effect of altering the fatty acid profile on female fertility is conflicting. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of preconception maternal diet, specifically fatty acid profile, on pregnancies and live births following in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Forty-six overweight and obese women undergoing IVF were randomised to a diet and physical activity intervention (intervention) or standard care (control). Outcome measures included pregnancy, live birth and pre-study dietary intake from food frequency questionnaire. Twenty pregnancies (n = 12/18 vs. n = 8/20, p = 0.12) and 12 live births (n = 7/18 vs. n = 5/20, p = 0.48) occurred following the intervention with no differences between the treatment groups. On analysis adjusted for BMI and smoking status, women who became pregnant had higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake (p = 0.03), specifically omega-6 PUFA and linoleic acid (LA) (p = 0.045) with a trend for an elevated intake of omega-3 PUFA (p = 0.06). There were no dietary differences for women who did or did not have a live birth. Maternal preconception PUFA, and specifically omega-6 and LA intake, are associated with improved pregnancy rates in overweight and obese women undergoing IVF. This has implications for optimising fertility through preconception nutrition.

Keywords: assisted reproductive technology; diet; exercise; fertility; in-vitro fertilization; omega 3 fatty acids; pregnancy; unsaturated fat; weight loss.

Figure 1

Pre-study polyunsaturated fatty acid intake over the prior 12 months for women who did and did not become pregnant during the intervention. Data were analysed by logistic regression adjusted for smoking and BMI status and are presented as mean ± SD. * Significant difference (p = 0.045) for LA between women who did and did not become pregnant. AA: arachidonic acid, ALA: Alpha-linoleic acid, DHA: docosahexaenoic acid, EPA: eicosapentaenoic acid, LA: linoleic acid.