Login Register Cart 0
Generic placeholder image

Current Medicinal Chemistry

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 0929-8673
ISSN (Online): 1875-533X

Back
Journal Home About Journal Editorial Board Journal Insight Current Issue Volumes/Issues
Subscribe Translate in Chinese
Review Article

Weighing the Impact of Diet and Lifestyle on Female Reproductive Function

Author(s): Gabriella Garruti*, Raffaella Depalo and Maria De Angelis

Volume 26, Issue 19, 2019

Page: [3584 - 3592] Pages: 9

DOI: 10.2174/0929867324666170518101008

Price: $65

Abstract

Background: In the last years, several scientific societies and expert groups focused on the role played by nutritional factors, lifestyle and excess of body fat in interfering with female reproduction and fertility. In many studies a confounding factor is represented by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) which is one of the major causes of infertility where genetic and family history are certainly playing a role, together with lifestyle and nutritional factors.

Methods: In an attempt to define "the optimal fertility diet", we consider the role played by Mediterranean lifestyle and some macronutrients (animal and vegetable proteins) on ovulatory disorders and female fertility also considering some new visions derived from randomized trials of lifestyle programs in obese infertile women asking for in vitro fertilization or alternative assisted reproduction technologies.

Results: Several reports are in favor of an increased consumption of either proteins or low-glycemic index carbohydrates to improve ovulatory disorders and female fertility. In studies concerning infertile women undergoing assisted reproduction, either structured exercise sessions and dietary intervention programs seem to be effective in improving menstrual cycles and fertility as demonstrated by the increased rate of natural conceptions.

Conclusion: The findings of this review confirm the important impact of Mediterranean diet and lifestyle in preserving and improving fertility. However, epigenetic factors are very important in determining fertility rate, but genetic background and ethnicity are also playing crucial roles.

Keywords: Assisted reproduction technologies, essential aminoacids, fertility, proteins, lifestyle, overweight, obesity, Polycystic ovary syndrome.

« Previous Next »
[1]
Mosley, W.H. Nutrition and Human Reproduction ; , 1978. Editors: Mosley, W. (Ed.). ISBN 978-1-4684-0790-0797.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-0790-7]
[2]
The Thessaloniki ESHRE/ASRM-Sponsored PCOS Consensus Workshop Group. Consensus on infertility treatment related to PCOS. Fertil. Steril., 2008, 89(3), 505-522.
[http://dx.doi.org/dx. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.09.041] [PMID: 18243179]
[3]
Stein, I.F.; Leventhal, M.L. Amenorrhea associated with bilateral polycystic ovaries. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol., 1935, 29, 181-191.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0002-9378(15)30642-6]
[4]
The Rotterdam ESHRE/ASRM-Sponsored PCOS consensus workshop group 2004 Revised 2003 Consensus on diagnostic criteria and long-term health risks related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Hum. Reprod., 2004, 19, 41-47.
[5]
Azziz, R.; Carmin, R.; Dewailly, D.; Diamanti-Kandarakis, E.; Escobar-Morreale, H.F.; Futterweit, W.; Janssen, O.E.; Legro, R.S. Norman, R.J.; Taylor, A.E.; Witchel, S.F.; Androgen Excess Society. Criteria for defining polycystic ovary syndrome as a predominantly hyperandrogenic syndrome: an Androgen Excess Society guideline. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., 2006, 91, 4237-4245.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/jc.2006-0178] [PMID: 16940456]
[6]
Urbanek, M.; Sam, S.; Legro, R.S.; Dunaif, A. Identification of a polycystic ovary syndrome susceptibility variant in fibrillin-3 and association with a metabolic phenotype. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., 2007, 92(11), 4191-4198.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/jc.2007-0761] [PMID: 17785364]
[7]
Stewart, D.R.; Dombroski, B.A.; Urbanek, M.; Ankener, W.; Ewens, K.G.; Wood, J.R.; Legro, R.S.; Strauss, J.F., III; Dunaif, A.; Spielman, R.S. Fine mapping of genetic susceptibility to polycystic ovary syndrome on chromosome 19p13.2 and tests for regulatory activity. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., 2006, 91(10), 4112-4117.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/jc.2006-0951] [PMID: 16868051]
[8]
Goodarzi, M.O.; Louwers, Y.V.; Taylor, K.D.; Jones, M.R.; Cui, J.; Kwon, S.; Chen, Y.D.; Guo, X.; Stolk, L.; Uitterlinden, A.G.; Laven, J.S.; Azziz, R. Replication of association of a novel insulin receptor gene polymorphism with polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil. Steril, 2011, 95(5), 1736-41.e1, 11.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.01.015] [PMID: 21300347]
[9]
Yuan, H.; Zhu, G.; Wang, F.; Wang, X.; Guo, H.; Shen, M. Interaction between common variants of FTO and MC4R is associated with risk of PCOS. Reprod. Biol. Endocrinol., 2015, 13, 55.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12958-015-0050-z] [PMID: 26032905]
[10]
Stang, J.; Huffman, L.G. Position of the academy of nutrition and dietetics. obesity, reproduction and pregnancy outcomes. J. Acad. Nutr. Diet., 2016, 116, 677-691.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2016.01.008] [PMID: 27017177]
[11]
Stöger, R. Epigenetics and obesity. Pharmacogenomics, 2008, 9(12), 1851-1860.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2217/14622416.9.12.1851] [PMID: 19072643]
[12]
Lodygin, D.; Tarasov, V.; Epanchintsev, A.; Berking, C.; Knyazeva, T.; Körner, H.; Knyazev, P.; Diebold, J.; Hermeking, H. Inactivation of miR-34a by aberrant CpG methylation in multiple types of cancer. Cell Cycle, 2008, 7(16), 2591-2600.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/cc.7.16.6533] [PMID: 18719384]
[13]
Faienza, M.F.; Wang, D.Q.; Frühbeck, G.; Garruti, G.; Portincasa, P.; Portincasa, P. The dangerous link between childhood and adulthood predictors of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Intern. Emerg. Med., 2016, 11(2), 175-182.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11739-015-1382-6] [PMID: 26758061]
[14]
Zeisel, S.H. Epigenetic mechanisms for nutrition determinants of later health outcomes. Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 2009, 89(5), 1488S-1493S.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.2009.27113B] [PMID: 19261726]
[15]
Collins, G.G.; Rossi, B.V. The impact of lifestyle modifications, diet, and vitamin supplementation on natural fertility. Fertil. Res. Pract., 2015, 1, 11.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40738-015-0003-4] [PMID: 28620516]
[16]
Afeiche, M.C.; Gaskins, A.J.; Williams, P.L.; Toth, T.L.; Wright, D.L.; Tanrikut, C.; Hauser, R.; Chavarro, J.E. Processed meat intake is unfavorably and fish intake favorably associated with semen quality indicators among men attending a fertility clinic. J. Nutr., 2014, 144(7), 1091-1098.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3945/jn.113.190173] [PMID: 24850626]
[17]
Willett, W.C.; Skerrett, P.J. Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healthy Eating New York Free Press, 2005.
[18]
Robbins, C.L.; Zapata, L.B.; Farr, S.L.; Kroelinger, C.D.; Morrow, B.; Ahluwalia, I.; D’Angelo, D.V.; Barradas, D.; Cox, S.; Goodman, D.; Williams, L.; Grigorescu, V.; Barfield, W.D. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Core state preconception health indicators - pregnancy risk assessment monitoring system and behavioral risk factor surveillance system, 2009. MMWR Surveill. Summ., 2014, 63(3), 1-62.
[PMID: 24759729]
[19]
de Boo, H.A.; Harding, J.E. The developmental origins of adult disease (Barker) hypothesis. Aust. N. Z. J. Obstet. Gynaecol., 2006, 46(1), 4-14.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1479-828X.2006.00506.x] [PMID: 16441686]
[20]
Kulie, T.; Slattengren, A.; Redmer, J.; Counts, H.; Eglash, A.; Schrager, S. Obesity and women’s health: an evidence-based review. J. Am. Board Fam. Med., 2011, 24(1), 75-85.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.2011.01.100076] [PMID: 21209347]
[21]
Moran, L.J.; Noakes, M.; Clifton, P.M.; Tomlinson, L.; Galletly, C.; Norman, R.J. Dietary composition in restoring reproductive and metabolic physiology in overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., 2003, 88(2), 812-819.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/jc.2002-020815] [PMID: 12574218]
[22]
Sim, K.A.; Dezarnaulds, G.M.; Denyer, G.S.; Skilton, M.R.; Caterson, I.D. Weight loss improves reproductive outcomes in obese women undergoing fertility treatment: a randomized controlled trial. Clin. Obes., 2014, 4(2), 61-68.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cob.12048] [PMID: 25826729]
[23]
Stamets, K.; Taylor, D.S.; Kunselman, A.; Demers, L.M.; Pelkman, C.L.; Legro, R.S. A randomized trial of the effects of two types of short-term hypocaloric diets on weight loss in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil. Steril., 2004, 81(3), 630-637.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2003.08.023] [PMID: 15037413]
[24]
Chavarro, J.E.; Rich-Edwards, J.W.; Rosner, B.A.; Willett, W.C. Protein intake and ovulatory infertility Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol, 2008, 198(2), 210.e1-e7.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2007.06.057]
[25]
Smith, J.; Sones, K.; Grace, D.; MacMillan, S.; Tarawali, S.; Herrero, M. Beyond meat, milk, and eggs: Livestock’s role in food and nutrition security. Anim. Front., 2013, 3(1), 6-13.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2527/af.2013-0002]
[26]
Eisler, M.C.; Lee, M.R.F.; Tarlton, J.F.; Martin, G.B.; Beddington, J.; Dungait, J.A.; Greathead, H.; Liu, J.; Mathew, S.; Miller, H.; Misselbrook, T.; Murray, P.; Vinod, V.K.; Van Saun, R.; Winter, M. Agriculture: steps to sustainable livestock. Nature, 2014, 507(7490), 32-34.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/507032a] [PMID: 24605375]
[27]
Piccoli, G.B.; Clari, R.; Vigotti, F.N.; Leone, F.; Attini, R.; Cabiddu, G.; Mauro, G.; Castelluccia, N.; Colombi, N.; Capizzi, I.; Pani, A.; Todros, T.; Avagnina, P. Vegan-vegetarian diets in pregnancy: danger or panacea? A systematic narrative review. BJOG, 2015, 122(5), 623-633.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.13280] [PMID: 25600902]
[28]
Visentin, C.E.; Masih, S.P.; Plumptre, L.; Schroder, T.H.; Sohn, K.J.; Ly, A.; Lausman, A.Y.; Berger, H.; Croxford, R.; Lamers, Y.; Kim, Y.I.; O’Connor, D.L. Low serum vitamin B-12 concentrations are prevalent in a cohort of pregnant canadian women. J. Nutr., 2016, 146(5), 1035-1042.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3945/jn.115.226845] [PMID: 27075906]
[29]
Pereira, M.A.; Jacobs, D.R., Jr; Van Horn, L.; Slattery, M.L.; Kartashov, A.I.; Ludwig, D.S. Dairy consumption, obesity, and the insulin resistance syndrome in young adults: the CARDIA Study. JAMA, 2002, 287(16), 2081-2089.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.287.16.2081] [PMID: 11966382]
[30]
Chavarro, J.E.; Rich-Edwards, J.W.; Rosner, B.; Willett, W.C. A prospective study of dairy foods intake and anovulatory infertility. Hum. Reprod., 2007, 22(5), 1340-1347.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dem019] [PMID: 17329264]
[31]
Cetin, I.; Berti, C.; Calabrese, S. Role of micronutrients in the periconceptional period. Hum. Reprod. Update, 2010, 16(1), 80-95.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmp025] [PMID: 19567449]
[32]
Mousa, A.; Abell, S.; Scragg, R.; de Courten, B. Vitamin D in reproductive health and pregnancy. Semin. Reprod. Med., 2016, 34(2), e1-e13.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0036-1583529] [PMID: 27228115]
[33]
Carrell, D.T.; Jones, K.P.; Peterson, C.M.; Aoki, V.; Emery, B.R.; Campbell, B.R. Body mass index is inversely related to intrafollicular HCG concentrations, embryo quality and IVF outcome. Reprod. Biomed. Online, 2001, 3(2), 109-111.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1472-6483(10)61977-3] [PMID: 12513872]
[34]
Bellver, J.; Melo, M.A.; Bosch, E.; Serra, V.; Remohí, J.; Pellicer, A. Obesity and poor reproductive outcome: the potential role of the endometrium. Fertil. Steril., 2007, 88(2), 446-451.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.11.162] [PMID: 17418840]
[35]
Luke, B.; Brown, M.B.; Missmer, S.A.; Bukulmez, O.; Leach, R.; Stern, J.E. Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology writing group. The effect of increasing obesity on the response to and outcome of assisted reproductive technology: a national study. Fertil. Steril., 2011, 96(4), 820-825.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.07.1100] [PMID: 21821244]
[36]
van der Steeg, J.W.; Steures, P.; Eijkemans, M.J.; Habbema, J.D.; Hompes, P.G.; Burggraaff, J.M.; Oosterhuis, G.J.; Bossuyt, P.M.; van der Veen, F.; Mol, B.W. Obesity affects spontaneous pregnancy chances in subfertile, ovulatory women. Hum. Reprod., 2008, 23(2), 324-328.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dem371] [PMID: 18077317]
[37]
Fedorcsák, P.; Dale, P.O.; Storeng, R.; Ertzeid, G.; Bjercke, S.; Oldereid, N.; Omland, A.K.; Abyholm, T.; Tanbo, T. Impact of overweight and underweight on assisted reproduction treatment. Hum. Reprod., 2004, 19(11), 2523-2528.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deh485] [PMID: 15319380]
[38]
Lashen, H.; Fear, K.; Sturdee, D.W. Obesity is associated with increased risk of first trimester and recurrent miscarriage: matched case-control study. Hum. Reprod., 2004, 19(7), 1644-1646.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deh277] [PMID: 15142995]
[39]
Jungheim, E.S.; Travieso, J.L.; Hopeman, M.M. Weighing the impact of obesity on female reproductive function and fertility. Nutr. Rev., 2013, 71(Suppl. 1), S3-S8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/nure.12056] [PMID: 24147921]
[40]
Kahraman, S.; Yakin, K.; Dönmez, E.; Samli, H.; Bahçe, M.; Cengiz, G.; Sertyel, S.; Samli, M.; Imirzalioğlu, N. Relationship between granular cytoplasm of oocytes and pregnancy outcome following intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Hum. Reprod., 2000, 15(11), 2390-2393.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/15.11.2390] [PMID: 11056140]
[41]
Depalo, R.; Garruti, G.; Totaro, I.; Panzarino, M.; Vacca, M.P.; Giorgino, F.; Selvaggi, L.E. Oocyte morphological abnormalities in overweight women undergoing in vitro fertilization cycles. Gynecol. Endocrinol., 2011, 27(11), 880-884.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/09513590.2011.569600] [PMID: 21500991]
[42]
Russell, D.L.; Robker, R.L. Molecular mechanisms of ovulation: co-ordination through the cumulus complex. Hum. Reprod. Update, 2007, 13(3), 289-312.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dml062] [PMID: 17242016]
[43]
Moran, L.J.; Dodd, J.; Nisenblat, V.; Norman, R.J. Obesity and reproductive dysfunction in women. Endocrinol. Metab. Clin. North Am., 2011, 40(4), 895-906.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecl.2011.08.006] [PMID: 22108286]
[44]
Valckx, S.D.; De Pauw, I.; De Neubourg, D.; Inion, I.; Berth, M.; Fransen, E.; Bols, P.E.; Leroy, J.L. BMI-related metabolic composition of the follicular fluid of women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment and the consequences for oocyte and embryo quality. Hum. Reprod., 2012, 27(12), 3531-3539.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/des350] [PMID: 23019302]
[45]
Kort, J.D.; Winget, C.; Kim, S.H.; Lathi, R.B. A retrospective cohort study to evaluate the impact of meaningful weight loss on fertility outcomes in an overweight population with infertility. Fertil. Steril., 2014, 101(5), 1400-1403.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.01.036] [PMID: 24581574]
[46]
Clark, A.M.; Thornley, B.; Tomlinson, L.; Galletley, C.; Norman, R.J. Weight loss in obese infertile women results in improvement in reproductive outcome for all forms of fertility treatment. Hum. Reprod., 1998, 13(6), 1502-1505.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/13.6.1502] [PMID: 9688382]
[47]
Clark, A.M.; Ledger, W.; Galletly, C.; Tomlinson, L.; Blaney, F.; Wang, X.; Norman, R.J. Weight loss results in significant improvement in pregnancy and ovulation rates in anovulatory obese women. Hum. Reprod., 1995, 10(10), 2705-2712.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a135772] [PMID: 8567797]
[48]
Palomba, S.; Giallauria, F.; Falbo, A.; Russo, T.; Oppedisano, R.; Tolino, A.; Colao, A.; Vigorito, C.; Zullo, F.; Orio, F. Structured exercise training programme versus hypocaloric hyperproteic diet in obese polycystic ovary syndrome patients with anovulatory infertility: a 24-week pilot study. Hum. Reprod., 2008, 23(3), 642-650.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dem391] [PMID: 18158291]
[49]
Mutsaerts, M.A.; van Oers, A.M.; Groen, H.; Burggraaff, J.M.; Kuchenbecker, W.K.; Perquin, D.A.; Denise, A.M.; Koks, C.A.; van Golde, R.; Kaaijk, E.M.; Schierbeek, J.M.; Oosterhuis, G.J.; Broekmans, F.J.; Bemelmans, W.J.; Lambalk, C.B.; Verberg, M.F.; van der Veen, F.; Klijn, N.F.; Mercelina, P.E.; van Kasteren, Y.M.; Nap, A.W.; Brinkhuis, E.A.; Vogel, N.E.; Mulder, R.J.; Gondrie, E.T.; de Bruin, J.P.; Sikkema, J.M.; de Greef, M.H.; ter Bogt, N.C.; Land, J.A.; Mol, B.W.; Hoek, A. Randomized trial of a lifestyle program in obese infertile women. N. Engl. J. Med., 2016, 374(20), 1942-1953.
[http://dx.doi.org/dx. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1505297] [PMID: 27192672]
[50]
McCarteney, C.R. Marshall. J. C. Clinical practice. Polycystic ovary syndrome. N. Engl. J. Med., 2016, 375, 54-64.
[http://dx.doi.org/dx. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMcp1514916] [PMID: 27406348]
[51]
Garruti, G.; Depalo, R.; Vita, M.G.; Lorusso, F.; Giampetruzzi, F.; Bellomo Damato, A.; Giorgino, F. Adipose tissue, metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome: from pathophysiology to treatment. Reprod. Biomed. Online, 2009, 19(4), 552-563.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2009.05.010] [PMID: 19909598]
[52]
Mutsaerts, M.A.; Kuchenbecker, W.K.; Mol, B.W.; Land, J.A.; Hoek, A. Dropout is a problem in lifestyle intervention programs for overweight and obese infertile women: a systematic review. Hum. Reprod., 2013, 28(4), 979-986.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/det026] [PMID: 23427235]
[53]
Riccardi, G.; Rivellese, A.A.; Giacco, R. Role of glycemic index and glycemic load in the healthy state, in prediabetes, and in diabetes. Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 2008, 87(1), 269S-274S.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/87.1.269S] [PMID: 18175767]

Rights & Permissions Print Cite
Article Metrics
81
17
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy