Abstract
The fatty acid composition of human follicular fluid is important for oocyte development and for pregnancy following in vitro fertilization (IVF). This study investigated whether a dietary intervention that included an increase in marine omega-3 fatty acids, olive oil and vitamin D alters the fatty acid composition of human follicular fluid. The association of lifestyle factors with follicular fluid fatty acid composition was also investigated. Fifty-five couples awaiting IVF were randomized to receive the 6-week treatment intervention of olive oil for cooking, an olive oil-based spread, and a daily supplement drink enriched with vitamin D and the marine omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 56 couples were randomized to receive placebo equivalents. Dietary questionnaires were completed, and samples of blood were taken before and after the intervention. Follicular fluid was collected at oocyte retrieval and the fatty acid profile assessed using gas chromatography. In the control group, individual fatty acids in red blood cells and follicular fluid were significantly correlated. Furthermore, a healthier diet was associated with a lower percentage of follicular fluid arachidonic acid. The follicular fluid of women in the treatment group contained significantly higher amounts of EPA and DHA compared to the control group, while the omega-6 fatty acids linoleic, γ-linolenic, dihomo-γ-linolenic, and arachidonic were lower. This is the first report of a dietary intervention altering the fatty acid composition of follicular fluid in humans. Further research is required to determine whether this intervention improves oocyte quality.
Highlights
The fatty acid composition of human follicular fluid is important for oocyte development and for pregnancy following in vitro fertilisation (IVF)
The aim of this research was to determine the fatty acid composition of human follicular fluid in a small cohort of IVF patients, to examine demographic and lifestyle factors which may affect the composition, and to test whether this composition was different after a short intervention that provided docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and vitamin D, olive oil and olive oil‐based spread
Potential participants were excluded from participating if they consumed oily fish more than once a week; if they had any contraindications to IVF or IVF‐ICSI or to the supplements provided; if they had had more than two previous unsuccessful IVF cycles or low ovarian reserve indicated by an anti‐ Mullerian hormone (AMH) level of less than 2 pmol/L (Beckman AMH Gen II, Glasgow); or they were using prescribed medications or herbal remedies other than simple analgesia
Summary
The fatty acid composition of human follicular fluid is important for oocyte development and for pregnancy following in vitro fertilisation (IVF). This study investigated whether a dietary intervention that included an increase in marine omega‐3 fatty acids, olive oil and vitamin D alters the fatty acid composition of human follicular fluid. Fatty acids are required as an energy source (utilised by β‐oxidation following the luteinising hormone surge) in order to support oocyte maturation and early embryo development. In both mice and cows, inhibition of β‐oxidation decreased oocyte quality and subsequent blastocyst formation (Ferguson & Leese 2006; Dunning et al 2010). Human embryos that developed beyond the four cell stage contained higher levels of linoleic and oleic acids and lower levels of saturated fatty acids compared to those that arrested (Haggarty et al 2006)
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