Preconception Dietary Patterns and Associations With IVF Outcomes: An Ongoing Prospective Cohort Study

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Nutritional Science
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Limited research exists on preconception diet and reproductive outcomes in the Chinese population.
• Individual dietary assessments are crucial for understanding these associations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between maternal preconception dietary patterns and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes in a Chinese cohort.
• To identify specific dietary factors influencing fertilization, embryo development, pregnancy success, and complications.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study of 1,500 couples undergoing IVF.
• Dietary intake assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire.
• Principal component analysis identified five distinct dietary patterns.

Main Results:

• The "Fruits-Vegetables-Dairy-Eggs" pattern was associated with higher rates of normally fertilized eggs and transferable embryos.
• "Puffed food-Candy-Bakery" and "Dried fruits-Organs-Rice" patterns influenced biochemical pregnancy likelihood.
• Dairy intake benefited embryo quality; high rice consumption correlated with macrosomia risk. The "Fish/Seafood-Animal blood" pattern showed an inverse association with hypertensive disorders, particularly in women with BMI ≥25 kg/m².

Conclusions:

• Preconception dietary patterns significantly impact IVF success and pregnancy outcomes.
• Specific dietary recommendations, such as increased dairy and fruit/vegetable intake, may improve reproductive health.
• Dietary interventions before IVF treatment could be a valuable strategy for enhancing fertility outcomes.