The preconception mediterranean dietary pattern in couples undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment increases the chance of pregnancy

Vujkovic, M., de Vries, J. H., Lindemans, J., Macklon, N., van der Spek, P. J., Steegers, E. A. and Steegers-Theunissen, R. P. (2010) The preconception mediterranean dietary pattern in couples undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment increases the chance of pregnancy. Fertility and Sterility. (In Press)

Abstract

Objective:

To investigate associations between preconception dietary patterns and IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes validated by biomarkers of the homocysteine pathway.

Design:

Observational prospective study.

Setting:

A tertiary referral fertility clinic at the Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Patient(s):

One hundred sixty-one couples undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment.

Intervention(s):

No interventions other than the Dutch governmental recommendation of folic acid.

Main outcome measure(s):

Dietary patterns, blood and follicular fluid concentrations of folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, homocysteine, and fertilization rate, embryo quality, and pregnancy.

Result(s):

In women, two dietary patterns were identified. The "health conscious-low processed" dietary pattern (variation explained 12.1%) was characterized by high intakes of fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains and low intakes of snacks, meats, and mayonnaise, and positively correlated with red blood cell folate (beta = 0.07).

The "Mediterranean" dietary pattern (variation explained 9.1%), that is, high intakes of vegetable oils, vegetables, fish, and legumes and low intakes of snacks, was positively correlated with red blood cell folate (beta = 0.13), and vitamin B6 in blood (beta = 0.09) and follicular fluid (beta = 0.18). High adherence by the couple to the "Mediterranean" diet increased the probability of pregnancy, odds ratio 1.4 (95% confidence interval 1.0-1.9).

Conclusion(s):

A preconception "Mediterranean" diet by couples undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment contributes to the success of achieving pregnancy.

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