Influence of Resveratrol Supplementation on IVF-embryo Transfer Cycle Outcomes

Research Question: Does resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound, affect IVF-embryo transfer outcomes?

Design: This single-centre, cross-sectional retrospective study was designed to compare the outcomes of embryo transfer cycles in women receiving resveratrol supplementation (200 mg/day) continuously (RES group) with a control group (non-RES group). Of 8686 embryo transfer cycles, 1409 cycles with poor prognostic factors were excluded, including cycles in women aged ≥43 years and those with poor-quality embryos. The RES group (204 cycles, 102 women) was compared with the non-RES group (7073 cycles, 2958 women).

Results: After matching patients by age at the time of oocyte retrieval, grade and developmental stage of embryos, number of embryos transferred, and fresh or vitrified-warmed embryo transfer, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that resveratrol supplementation is strongly associated with a decrease in clinical pregnancy rate [odds ratio (OR) 0.539, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.341-0.853] and an increased risk of miscarriage (OR 2.602, 95% CI 1.070-6.325).

Conclusions: Resveratrol supplementation during embryo transfer cycles appears to be detrimental for pregnancy outcomes. An analysis of the supplementation protocol and randomized controlled studies are needed.