Dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids, their food sources and fertility in females and males: a preconception prospective population-based cohort study
Abstract
Background Seafood, nuts, and seeds are key dietary sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which may benefit reproductive health. Objectives This study aims to investigate associations of periconception dietary intake of PUFA-rich foods and omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs with fecundability and subfertility in females and males. Methods Among 830 females and 651 males, participating in a population-based prospective cohort study from preconception onwards, we assessed periconception dietary intake at median 12.4-wk gestation (95% range: 10.9, 18.4) and time to pregnancy via questionnaires. Fecundability was defined as the probability of conceiving within 1 mo and subfertility as time to pregnancy ≥12 mo or use of assisted reproductive technology. Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression were used to assess associations between PUFA(-rich foods) with fecundability and subfertility. Results In females, PUFA-rich food intake was not significantly associated with fertility. Higher omega-3 PUFA intake, especially docosahexaenoic acid and alpha-linolenic acid, but not omega-6 PUFA, was per standard deviation score (SDS) increase associated with increased fecundability and reduced subfertility. Strongest effects were observed for females in the highest quartile. A lower omega-6 to omega-3 PUFA ratio was associated with increased fecundability and lower subfertility risk [fecundability ratio (FR): 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.87, 0.96; odds ratio (OR): 1.14, 95%…
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Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence.
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