Beetroot, watermelon and ginger juice supplementation may increase the clinical outcomes of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection cycles.

OBJECTIVE: To prove the hypothesis that beetroot, watermelon and ginger juice supplementation improves the endometrial receptivity and clinical outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. METHODS: This prospective randomized study enrolled 436 female patients undergoing ICSI cycles from January/2018 to June/2021, in a private university-affiliated IVF center. Female patients were randomized in a 1:3 ratio to either Control (n=109) or Supplementation Group (n=327). All patients received nutritional orientation before the beginning of the treatment. Participants in the Supplementation Group were instructed to intake a daily dose of homemade juice, prepared with fresh beetroot, watermelon and ginger, from the day of embryo transfer until the day of pregnancy test, while patients in Control Group did not follow the juice protocol. Generalized Linear Models, adjusted for potential confounders (female age, body mass index - BMI, endometrial thickness upon embryo transfer, and number of transferred embryos), followed by Bonferroni post hoc test for the comparison of means between groups, were used to investigate the impact of juice supplementation on the clinical outcomes of ICSI. RESULTS: Patients and cycles characteristics were equally distributed among Supplementation and Control groups. Implantation rate (25.2% vs. 20.5%, p<0.001) and clinical pregnancy rate (41.0% vs. 22.0%, p=0.039) were significantly higher in the Supplementation compared to the Control group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of beetroot, watermelon and ginger juice may be considered a promising strategy for improving clinical outcomes in assisted reproductive technology (ART), without any side effects.

Maternal lifestyle and nutritional habits are associated with oocyte quality and ICSI clinical outcomes.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Do maternal lifestyle factors influence the incidence of oocyte dimorphisms and outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles? DESIGN: A total of 752 female patients undergoing an ICSI cycle at a private university-affiliated IVF centre from January 2015 to December 2019 were included in this historical cohort study. Before starting ovarian stimulation, participants completed a questionnaire on cigarette smoking habits, consumption of alcoholic beverages, refined sugar, artificial sweeteners, soft drinks, fruits, legumes and vegetables, milk and dairy, and meat, as well as exercise frequency over the past 6 months. Oocyte morphology was evaluated before ICSI. The influence of maternal lifestyle factors on the incidence of oocyte dimorphisms and ICSI outcomes was evaluated by multivariate general linear models and generalized linear models, adjusted for potential confounders. The main outcome measures were the incidence of oocyte dimorphisms per cycle and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Lifestyle factors and nutritional habits such as cigarette smoking, and the consumption of alcohol, refined sugar and artificial sweeteners, were positively associated with incidence of several oocyte dimorphisms and negatively associated with the response to ovarian stimulation and embryo development. Negative relationships were also observed between these habits and clinical outcomes, apart from miscarriage rate, in which positive relationships were observed. Significant negative dose-dependent relationships between these habits and implantation rates were noted (P < 0.001). Alcoholic beverage consumption also showed inverse dose-dependent relationships with clinical pregnancy and live birth rates. Live birth rate was also negatively associated with cigarette smoking, in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Poor maternal habits were associated with reduced oocyte quality and ICSI outcomes in this study. Many of these associations were shown to be dose-dependent.

Association between parental anthropometric measures and the outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles.

PURPOSE: To study the association between body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and response to controlled ovarian stimulation, semen quality, and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes. METHODS: This prospective observational study included data from 402 couples undergoing ICSI between January/2010-September/2016. Participants had their weight, height, waist, and hip measured before ICSI treatment. RESULTS: Gonadotropin dose was positively associated with maternal WHR. Maternal WC and WHR negatively influenced the estradiol level, number of follicles, oocytes, and mature oocytes. Maternal BMI negatively influenced oocyte yield. Semen volume was negatively influenced by male BMI. Sperm concentration was negatively associated with WHR and WHtR. Progressive sperm motility was negatively influenced by all anthropometric measures (AMs). The TMSC was negatively affected by all AM but WC. Significant differences were observed in all ICSI outcomes except pregnancy and miscarriage rates, favoring women with AM below the cut off values compared to women above the cut off. It was observed that men with AM below the cut off values showed significantly higher rates of fertilization, embryo and blastocyst development, implantation, and pregnancy than men above the cut off. When combined maternal and paternal AM were analyzed, significant differences were observed in fertilization, embryo and blastocyst development and implantation rates, favoring couples with normal BMI, WC, and WHR. CONCLUSIONS: Lower AMs have a protective effect on fertility. Awareness and counseling on how to minimize its impact in both partners could improve ICSI outcomes.

Is there an association between artificial sweetener consumption and assisted reproduction outcomes?

Previous studies have suggested an association between high intake of sweetened beverages and a number of adverse health outcomes. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the association between daily consumption of sweetened soft drinks or coffee and the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment. Patients (n = 524) were interviewed by a nutritionist before ICSI treatment, using a food frequency questionnaire. Regression analysis showed that consumption of ≥3 servings of regular soft drinks or any amount of diet soft drinks was associated with oocyte dysmorphism, diminished embryo quality on days 2 and 3 of culture, and a mild effect on blastocyst formation, implantation and pregnancy rate. Consumption of artificially sweetened coffee was negatively associated with embryo quality on days 2 and 3. However, consumption of coffee or soft drinks was not associated with the odds of live birth. Even so, patients should be advised about the potential negative effects of sugar and artificial sweeteners before attempting infertility treatment. This study is limited by the use of a non-validated food frequency questionnaire, lack of information on quantity of sweeteners consumed, and lack of data on glucose levels in blood serum or follicular fluid. Further investigation is warranted.

Nutritional aspects related to endometriosis / Aspectos nutricionais relacionados à endometriose

SUMMARY This literature review analyzed the evidence on nutritional aspects related to the pathogenesis and progression of endometriosis. Diets deficient in nutrients result in changes in lipid metabolism, oxidative stress and promote epigenetic abnormalities, that may be involved in the genesis and progression of the disease. Foods rich in omega 3 with anti-inflammatory effects, supplementation with Nacetylcysteine, vitamin D and resveratrol, in addition to the increased consumption of fruits, vegetables (preferably organic) and whole grains exert a protective effect, reducing the risk of development and possible regression of disease. Dietary re-education seems to be a promising tool in the prevention and treatment of endometriosis.

RESUMO Esta revisão de literatura analisou as evidências sobre aspectos nutricionais relacionados com a etiopatogenia e a progressão da endometriose. Dietas deficientes em nutrientes refletem-se em alterações no metabolismo lipídico, estresse oxidativo e favorecem anormalidades epigenéticas que podem estar envolvidas na gênese e na progressão da doença. Alimentos ricos em ômega-3, com efeito anti-inflamatório, suplementação com N-acetilcisteína, vitamina D e resveratrol, além do maior consumo de frutas, verduras (preferencialmente orgânicas) e cereais integrais, exercem efeito protetor, com redução no risco de desenvolvimento e possível regressão da doença. A reeducação alimentar parece ser uma ferramenta promissora na prevenção e no tratamento da endometriose.

The impact of food intake and social habits on embryo quality and the likelihood of blastocyst formation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of patients' lifestyle factors and eating habits on embryo development. A total of 2659 embryos recovered from 269 patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles were included. The frequency of intake of food items and social habits were registered and its influences on embryo development evaluated. The consumption of cereals, vegetables and fruits positively influenced the embryo quality at the cleavage stage. The quality of the embryo at the cleavage stage was also negatively correlated with the consumption of alcoholic drinks and smoking habits. The consumption of fruits influenced the likelihood of blastocyst formation, which was also positively affected by the consumption of fish. Being on a weight-loss diet and consumption of red meat had a negative influence on the likelihood of blastocyst formation. The likelihood of blastocyst formation was also negatively influenced by the consumption of alcoholic drinks and by smoking habits. The consumption of red meat and body mass index had a negative effect on the implantation rate and the likelihood of pregnancy. In addition, being on a weight-loss diet had a negative influence on implantation rate. Our evidence suggests a possible relationship between environmental factors and ovary biology.

Nutritional aspects related to endometriosis.

This literature review analyzed the evidence on nutritional aspects related to the pathogenesis and progression of endometriosis. Diets deficient in nutrients result in changes in lipid metabolism, oxidative stress and promote epigenetic abnormalities, that may be involved in the genesis and progression of the disease. Foods rich in omega 3 with anti-inflammatory effects, supplementation with N-acetylcysteine, vitamin D and resveratrol, in addition to the increased consumption of fruits, vegetables (preferably organic) and whole grains exert a protective effect, reducing the risk of development and possible regression of disease. Dietary re-education seems to be a promising tool in the prevention and treatment of endometriosis.

Food intake and social habits in male patients and its relationship to intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of the male partner's lifestyle, including eating and social habits, on semen quality and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) success. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Private fertility clinic. PATIENT(S): Two hundred fifty male patients undergoing ICSI cycles. INTERVENTION(S): We recorded dietary and social habits using a food frequency questionnaire adapted to meet specific study objectives. Evaluation of semen parameters and ICSI outcomes were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Frequency of intake of food items and social habits were registered on a scale with five categories ranging from no consumption to repeated daily consumption. RESULT(S): The sperm concentration was negatively influenced by body mass index (BMI) and alcohol consumption and was positively influenced by cereal consumption and the number of meals per day. The sperm motility was also negatively influenced by BMI, alcohol consumption, and smoking habit, whereas it was positively influenced by the consumption of fruits and cereals. The consumption of alcohol had a negative influence on the fertilization rate. The consumption of red meat as well as being on a weight loss diet had a negative impact on the implantation rate. In addition, the consumption of red meat and being on a weight loss diet had an effect on the pregnancy chance. CONCLUSION(S): Couples seeking assisted reproduction treatments must be advised about the drastic effect of both the male and female lifestyle on treatment success.

Physical activity, obesity and eating habits can influence assisted reproduction outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if eating habits, physical activity and BMI can influence assisted reproduction outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study analyzed 436 patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles. Patients answered a questionnaire and regression analysis examined the relationship between lifestyle and BMI with the intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles outcomes. RESULTS: No influence of lifestyle and obesity was observed on the number of oocytes recovered. Obesity reduced the normal fertilization rate (coefficient [Coef.]: -16.0; p = 0.01) and increased the risk of miscarriage (OR: 14.3; p = 0.03). Physical activity positively affected implantation (Coef.: 9.4; p = 0.009), increased the chance of pregnancy (OR: 1.83; p = 0.013) and tended to decrease the risk of miscarriage (OR: 0.30; p = 0.068). In addition, an inverse correlation was found between physical activity and BMI, and a direct correlation was found between soft-drink consumption and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Eating habits, physical activity and obesity could affect clinical outcomes of assisted reproduction.

Comparaçäo entre o gasto energético basal calculado pela calorimetria indireta e pela fórmula de Harris-Benedict / Basal energy expenditure assessed by indirectcalorimetry compared to that calculated by Harris-Benedict formula

Este estudo consiste na comparaçäo do Gasto Energético Basal (GEB) calculado pela calorimetria indireta com o calculado pela fórmula de Harris-Benedict. Fora analisados 96 pacientes que relataram dificuldade em perder peso. Os pacientes foram submetidos à biopedância elétrica; a partir dos resultados foram traçadas as seguintes relaçöes: o GEB calculado pela calorometria indireta com o peso, com a percentagem de massa magra, com a percentagem de gordura corporal, com o IMC e com a fórmula de Harris-Benedict. Através da análise dos resultados conclui-se que a preciäo aumentada se utilizada em conjunto com a fórmula proposta neste estudo. (au)