A Randomised Controlled Trial of a Preconceptional Dietary Intervention in Women Undergoing IVF Treatment (PREPARE Trial)

Overview

Journal BMC Womens Health

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Gynecology & Obstetrics

Date 2014 Nov 20

PMID 25407227

Citations 13

Authors

Alexandra J Kermack

Philip C Calder

Franchesca D Houghton

Keith M Godfrey

Nicholas S Macklon

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: In vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment provides an opportunity to study early developmental responses to periconceptional dietary interventions. Retrospective studies have suggested links between preconception diet and fertility, and more recently, a "Mediterranean" diet has been reported to increase pregnancy rates by up to 40%. In addition, a prospective study examining increased intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fats demonstrated a quickened rate of embryo development after IVF. However, up to now, few prospective randomised controlled trials have investigated the impact of periconceptional dietary interventions on fertility outcomes.

Methods And Design: The study is a randomised controlled trial of a dietary intervention consisting of olive oil for cooking, an olive oil based spread, and a daily supplement drink enriched with Vitamin D (10 microgram daily) and marine omega-3 fatty acids (2 g daily) for 6 weeks preconception versus a control diet of sunflower seed oil for cooking, a sunflower oil based spread, and a daily supplement drink without added Vitamin D or marine omega-3 fatty acids. Couples undergoing IVF will be randomised to either the intervention or control group (55 in each arm). The primary endpoint is embryo developmental competency in vitro, measured by validated morphokinetic markers. Secondary outcomes will include the effect of the dietary intervention on the nutritional content of the intrauterine environment.

Discussion: This approach will enable rigorous examination of the impact of the dietary intervention on early embryo development, together with the influence of the peri-implantation intra-uterine nutritional environment.

Trial Registration: ISRCTN50956936.

Citing Articles

Short-term diet intervention comprising of olive oil, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids alters the small non-coding RNA (sncRNA) landscape of human sperm.

Vaz C, Burton M, Kermack A, Tan P, Huan J, Yoo T Sci Rep. 2025; 15(1):7790.

PMID: 40044751 PMC: 11882820. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-83653-4.

The Role of the Mediterranean Diet in Assisted Reproduction: A Literature Review.

Baroutis D, Kalampokas T, Katsianou E, Psarris A, Daskalakis G, Panoulis K Nutrients. 2024; 16(16).

PMID: 39203942 PMC: 11356935. DOI: 10.3390/nu16162807.

Beyond body mass index: a synthesis of lifestyle factors that may influence in vitro fertilisation outcomes.

Schneider E, Hamer O, Smith C, Hill J Br J Midwifery. 2024; 31(8):436-444.

PMID: 38808077 PMC: 7616016. DOI: 10.12968/bjom.2023.31.8.436.

Effects of flaxseed oil supplementation on metaphase II oocyte rates in IVF cycles with decreased ovarian reserve: a randomized controlled trial.

Chu Q, Yu Y, Zhang J, Zhang Y, Yu J Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2024; 15:1280760.

PMID: 38469148 PMC: 10925664. DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1280760.

Can Dietary Patterns Impact Fertility Outcomes? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Winter H, Rolnik D, Mol B, Torkel S, Alesi S, Mousa A Nutrients. 2023; 15(11).

PMID: 37299551 PMC: 10255613. DOI: 10.3390/nu15112589.

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