Nutritional supplementation and artificial reproductive technique (ART) outcomes

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Nutritional Science
• Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

• Subfertility affects approximately 1 in 6 couples, with many pursuing assisted reproductive technologies (ART).
• Current in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle pregnancy rates remain suboptimal, around 25%, prompting interest in adjuvant therapies.
• Periconceptional nutritional status is increasingly recognized as crucial for fertility and offspring health, driving a growing market for supplements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the potential roles of specific nutritional supplements in enhancing IVF outcomes.
• To assess the current evidence base supporting the clinical use of these supplements in IVF.
• To outline current research needs in the field of nutritional supplementation for IVF.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing literature on nutritional supplements and IVF.
• Analysis of evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of specific supplements.
• Identification of gaps in current research and recommendations for future studies.

Main Results:

• Growing evidence suggests a link between periconceptional nutrition and fertility/offspring health.
• The clinical utility of routine dietary supplementation for improving IVF outcomes requires further investigation through well-powered trials.
• Specific supplements may offer benefits, but robust data is often lacking.

Conclusions:

• While nutritional status is important for fertility, the routine use of supplements to improve IVF outcomes lacks strong, evidence-based support.
• Well-powered prospective randomized trials are needed to establish the efficacy and safety of specific nutritional interventions in IVF.
• Further research is essential to guide clinical practice regarding nutritional supplementation in ART.