Effect of omega-3 supplements or diets on fertility in women: A meta-analysis.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of trials
PubMed 38628754 · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29324
What was done
A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effect of dietary or supplemental omega-3 fatty acid intake on clinical pregnancy and fertilization rates. Databases (PubMed, Clinical Trials, CINAHL/EBSCO, Medline Complete, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar) were searched through April 2021 for prospective studies and trials in women conceiving naturally or undergoing IVF/ICSI. Retrospective studies, postmenopausal populations, and unmatched control groups were excluded. Risk of bias was evaluated using Cochrane Handbook criteria, and pooled odds ratios (ORs) were calculated.
What was found
The review analyzed pregnancy in women receiving fertility treatment (6 trials, n=1,789), natural conception (4 trials, n=2,607), and fertilization rates (3 trials, n=1,725 oocytes). Omega-3 intake was associated with: - Increased odds of pregnancy with fertility treatment: OR 1.74 (p <= 0.01) - Increased odds of natural pregnancy: OR 1.36 (p <= 0.01) - Increased fertilization rate: OR 2.14 (p <= 0.01) All pooled analyses demonstrated high heterogeneity (I2 > 68%).
Why it matters
This review provides quantitative pooled evidence that increased omega-3 intake is associated with higher pregnancy odds across both natural conception and assisted reproductive therapy settings.
Limits
High statistical heterogeneity (I2 > 68%) was present across all pooled outcomes. The search was restricted to English-language studies up to April 2021. The abstract does not specify omega-3 dosages, sources (dietary seafood vs. supplements), baseline nutritional status, or ultimate live birth rates.