Identification of Dietary Patterns Among Women Undergoing Assisted Reproduction and Its Association with Reproductive Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify dietary patterns among women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) and to analyze the association between these patterns and reproductive outcomes.

METHODS

This study included 331 women who underwent assisted reproductive technology at a tertiary hospital in Jiangsu Province between June and December 2024. Dietary intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and nutrient values were calculated with a nutrition calculator. Reproductive outcomes were obtained from medical records. Then, we used principal component analysis to identify dietary patterns, and we performed non-parametric tests and multivariate regression analyses to explore associations between dietary patterns, nutrient intake, and reproductive outcomes.

RESULTS

Three dietary patterns were identified: the Diversified Diet Pattern, the Snack-Beverage-Staple Pattern, and the Staple-Vegetable Pattern. No significant association was found between dietary patterns and reproductive outcomes (p > 0.05). Regarding individual nutrients, higher vitamin B2 intake was linked to more high-scoring blastocysts (p = 0.003). Higher cholesterol intake was associated with fewer retrieved oocytes (p = 0.008) and morphologically normal oocytes (p = 0.029). Higher zinc intake was associated with fewer morphologically normal oocytes (p = 0.012), number of mature oocytes (MII oocytes) (p = 0.039), and high-quality embryos (p = 0.036). No significant associations were found between other nutrients and reproductive outcomes (all p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Although different dietary patterns were not associated with reproductive outcomes, the intake of specific nutrients, such as cholesterol, vitamin B2, and zinc, may influence reproductive outcomes. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and to develop targeted interventions for women undergoing ART.