Maternal physical and sedentary activities in relation to reproductive outcomes following IVF

Abstract

Physical activity could benefit reproductive function through its ability to regulate energy balance and improve insulin sensitivity, but its association with IVF outcomes remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether pre-treatment physical and sedentary activity is associated with outcomes of IVF. The Environment and Reproductive Health Study is an ongoing prospective cohort study that enrols subfertile couples at Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center. Time spent in physical and sedentary activities in the year before IVF treatment is self-reported using a validated questionnaire. This analysis included 273 women who underwent 427 IVF cycles. Women engaged in a median of 2.8 h per week of moderate-to-vigorous activities. Time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activities and total metabolic equivalent task hours before IVF were not associated with probability of implantation, clinical pregnancy or live birth. Of the specific physical activities, only greater time spent in aerobics, rowing, and on the ski or stair machine was associated with higher probability of live birth. Time spent in total and specific sedentary activities were not associated with clinical outcomes of IVF. Physical activity is unlikely to have a deleterious effect on IVF success and certain forms of vigorous activity may be beneficial.

Sedentary behavior, physical inactivity and body composition in relation to idiopathic infertility among men and women

“…In line with other studies, we did not confirm a significant association between physical inactivity and fertility in women [17,26]. However, it appears that the relationship between PA and fertility may differ according to BMI [17].…”

“…Subgroups of women exercising under 15 min and over 60 min per session had a higher frequency of infertility than women between 16 and 60 min duration [21]. PA was not related to fertility status among women in our study, likely due to a lack of power; however, it has been shown that 1.5 h or more of aerobic PA per week resulted in a higher likelihood of live birth in women during IVF compared to inactive women [17]. As it has been observed in men, total PA level (in MET-min/week) may not be the variable most highly associated with fertility status, while PA parameters such as duration, intensity, frequency, and type of exercise could be instead.…”

“…Among women, sedentary behavior was associated with infertility, while other studies were unable to confirm a significant relationship between this behavior and fertility as well as probability of live birth [17,26]. Sedentary behavior has been positively associated with the secretion of leptin [60], which can decrease fertility [56] and pregnancy rates with in vitro fertilization (IVF) through the downregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis [61].…”

“…Some previous studies failed to demonstrate a relationship between PA and semen quality [11,12]. In women, moderate PA increased fecundity parameters and live birth rates, regardless of body mass index (BMI) [13,14]—even during assisted reproductive treatment [15–17]. However, vigorous activity has been associated with lower semen quality in men [18–20] and decreased fertility in women [21–23].…”

“…However, vigorous activity has been associated with lower semen quality in men [18–20] and decreased fertility in women [21–23]. Notably, sedentary behavior has not been clearly associated with semen quality [10,17,18,24,25], though reduced sperm concentration has been linked to increased television watching [9]. In women, sedentary behavior has not been associated with lower fertility in recent studies [17,26].…”