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Dietary fatty acid intakes and the risk of ovulatory infertility ^1,2,3

¹ From the Departments of Nutrition (JEC and WCW), Epidemiology (JEC, JWR-E, and WCW), and Biostatistics (BAR), Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA; and the Department of Ambulatory Care and Prevention (JWR-E) and the Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital (JWR-E, BAR, and WCW), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Background:Pharmacologic activation of the peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR-) improves ovulatory function in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, and specific dietary fatty acids can affect PPAR- activity.

Objective:The objective of the study was to assess whether the intakes of total fat, cholesterol, and major types of fatty acids affect the risk of ovulatory infertility.

Design:We conducted a prospective cohort study of 18 555 married, premenopausal women without a history of infertility who attempted a pregnancy or became pregnant between 1991 and 1999. Diet was assessed twice during follow-up by using a food-frequency questionnaire.

Results:During follow-up, 438 incidents of ovulatory infertility were reported. In logistic regression analyses, intakes of total fat, cholesterol, and most types of fatty acids were not related to ovulatory infertility. Each 2% increase in the intake of energy from trans unsaturated fats, as opposed to that from carbohydrates, was associated with a 73% greater risk of ovulatory infertility after adjustment for known and suspected risk factors for this condition [relative risk (RR) = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.09, 2.73]. Obtaining 2% of energy intake from trans fats rather than from n–6 polyunsaturated fats was associated with a similar increase in the risk of ovulatory infertility (RR = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.11, 2.89). In addition, obtaining 2% of energy from trans fats rather than from monounsaturated fats was associated with a more than doubled risk of ovulatory infertility (RR = 2.31; 95% CI: 1.09, 4.87).

Conclusion:trans Unsaturated fats may increase the risk of ovulatory infertility when consumed instead of carbohydrates or unsaturated fats commonly found in nonhydrogenated vegetable oils.

Key Words: Diet • dietary fatty acids • infertility • ovulation • reproductive medicine • nutritional epidemiology

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J.E. Chavarro, J.W. Rich-Edwards, B. Rosner, and W.C. Willett Reply: Calcium homeostasis and anovulatory infertility Hum. Reprod., December 1, 2007; 22(12): 3265 - 3265. [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. E. Chavarro, J. W. Rich-Edwards, B. A. Rosner, and W. C. Willett Diet and Lifestyle in the Prevention of Ovulatory Disorder Infertility Obstet. Gynecol., November 1, 2007; 110(5): 1050 - 1058. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]