The Fatty Acid Composition of Human Follicular Fluid Is Altered by a 6‐Week Dietary Intervention That Includes Marine Omega‐3 Fatty Acids

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. Fiftyfive 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. Keywords DHA Á Diet Á EPA Á Follicular fluid Á IVF Á Omega-3 Á Vitamin D Lipids (2020).

High-Fat Diet and Female Fertility across Lifespan: A Comparative Lesson from Mammal Models

“…Deregulation of the proliferation and survival pathways mentioned above also leads to an alteration in the morphological and functional structure of the GCs, affecting the follicular transition from the primordial stage. Firstly, acquired data show that altered follicular microenvironment in overweight or obese females might exert a detrimental effect on GCs morphology by leading to uneven cells layer (in mice: [ 75 , 76 , 77 ]; in ruminants: [ 78 ]; in rabbits: [ 18 ]; in humans: [ 5 , 79 ]) and to the accumulation of intracellular lipids that bind to proteins forming lipid droplets, thus causing lipotoxicity and consequent cumulus cell apoptosis (in mice: [ 47 , 56 , 80 ] and in humans: [ 79 ]). Of note, the lipotoxic effect is mediated at a systemic level by high levels of circulating leptin in high-fat-diet conditions [ 54 ].…”

“…Indeed, obesity perturbates the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis dialogue through an inhibitory action exerted by the adipose tissue that has a recognized critical role in maintaining the endocrine/paracrine control of the gonads, with the aim of synchronously regulating the follicle–oocyte development over time until ovulation [ 2 , 3 ]. To date, many research studies that have clarified the mechanisms behind high-fat-related infertility in mammals were carried out in experimental animal models [ 4 , 5 ]. However, to date, multiple methodological differences, such as the length of high-fat diet exposure and the percentage and the typologies of the used fats, have severely limited the identification of the mechanisms interfering with female fertility in mammal models [ 6 ].…”

Unsaturated Fatty Acid Intake During Periconception and Incidence of Achieving Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Also, a study showing the effect of increased ω-6/ω-3 PUFAs ratio in pregnancy success was excluded as it reported only the ratio but not the intake of these PUFAs (Jungheim et al, 2013 ). Interestingly, increased DHA and EPA were found in the follicular fluid of women receiving a diet supplemented with marine ω-3 PUFAs, suggesting an influence of dietary supplementation on the generation of PUFAs of relevant biological activity during the process of ovulation (Kermack et al, 2021 ). In addition, in a recent meta-analysis, ω-3 PUFA supplementation was found highly related to the improvement of oxidative stress status in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (Chatzakis et al, 2021 ).…”

Omega-3 fatty acids dietary intake for oocyte quality in women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques: A systematic review

“…The mentioned trend applies not only to serum concentrations of FAs but also to their content within the FF. Kermack et al [23] observed a higher concentration of EPA and DHA in the follicular fluid of women that received the 6-weeks dietary treatment with omega-3 FAs and vitamin D was significantly higher and linked to pregnancy success. However, in multiple studies, a positive association was found between serum omega-3 PUFAs and fertility parameters.…”