Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and fecundability

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Nutritional Science
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Omega-3 fatty acid intake is linked to improved pregnancy rates in infertile women undergoing IVF.
• Studies on omega-3 supplementation and natural fertility are conflicting, with limited research on fecundability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between omega-3 fatty acid supplement use and fecundability in women attempting natural conception.
• To determine if omega-3 supplementation increases the probability of conceiving in a given menstrual cycle.

Main Methods:

• Secondary data analysis of the prospective Time to Conceive (TTC) cohort study (2008-2015).
• Included 900 women aged 30-44 years trying to conceive naturally, contributing 2510 cycles.
• Used a discrete-time Cox proportional hazards model to assess fecundability ratio based on omega-3 use (≥20% of days per cycle).

Main Results:

• Women using omega-3 supplements had a 1.51 times higher probability of conceiving (95% CI 1.12, 2.04) after adjusting for covariates.
• Omega-3 users were more likely to be younger, thinner, nulligravid, white, and use other supplements like vitamin D and multivitamins.

Conclusions:

• Omega-3 supplementation may be a feasible, inexpensive factor to enhance natural fertility.
• Further randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm the benefits of omega-3s for women trying to conceive.