The Effect of Omega-3 on the Number of Retrieved Ova, Fertilization Rate, and Embryonic Grading in Subfertile Females Experiences Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Management Protocols

Abstract

Maternal preconceiving nutrition is thought to affect fertility outcomes. The current emphasis on the omega-3 fatty acids, which has been associated with improved fertility in both spontaneous and assisted reproduction conceptions. This study aims to evaluate the role of preconceiving omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation in enhancing the proportion between follicles and retrieved ova, the fertilization rate, and the embryonic grading in subfertile females experiencing intracytoplasmic sperm injection management protocols. One-hundred twenty subfertile women aged 20-40 years-old undergoing intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection were recruited in this randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial, at Fertility Center/ Al-Sadr Teaching Hospital/ Al Najaf/ Iraq. They were randomly assigned into two groups; group A (omega-3) includes 60 subfertile women who received one capsule 1000mg omega-3 and Group B (placebo) includes 60 subfertile women who received a placebo contain Liquid Paraffin 500mg for eight weeks. The number of follicles, number of oocytes, fertilization rates, and embryonic quality were recorded in both groups. The study result revealed that the ratio of follicle/retrieved oocyte, the number of metaphase II oocytes, fertilization rate, and grade I embryo were more in the group A compared to group B. Supplementation with Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids can increase the ratio of follicle/retrieved oocyte, the number of metaphase II oocytes, fertilization rate, and grade I embryo, and thereby improving the pregnancy outcome in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles.