What nutrients for oocyte quality?
Feeding Your Eggs: Nutrients That Can Improve Your Egg Quality
What is a healthy oocyte?
Good oocyte quality means that the oocyte (or ovum) is healthy and has a good chance of developing normally and being fertilized by a sperm. Oocyte quality criteria include:
- Normal chromosome number: A healthy oocyte normally has 23 chromosomes, which is important for the formation of a viable embryo.
- Normal morphological appearance: the oocyte must have a normal shape and structure to be fertilized correctly.
- Ability to develop normally after fertilization: once fertilized, the oocyte must be able to develop normally to give rise to a viable embryo.
What can affect egg quality?
Age, lifestyle, medical risk factors and genetic abnormalities can affect oocyte quality . It is important to see a doctor to assess oocyte quality and determine appropriate treatment options.
Endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can also affect oocyte quality.
How to preserve it?
A healthy, balanced diet can help maintain overall good health and can therefore play a role in preserving oocyte quality.
Nutrients that may be important for ovarian health and quality of oocytes include:
- Folic Acid (Vitamin B9): This vitamin is important for normal cell division and may help prevent chromosomal abnormalities.
- Antioxidants: Antioxidants, such as vitamin C and astaxanthin, can help protect the oocytes damage caused by free radicals.
- Omega-3: Omega-3 fatty acids can help regulate hormones and support ovarian health.
- Iron: This mineral is important for the production of red blood cells and can help prevent anemia, which can affect the quality of oocytes .
- Vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 can help regulate hormones and support ovarian health.
- Zinc: Zinc is important for sperm production and may also support ovarian health. It may also help prevent chromosomal abnormalities and support normal cell division.
Scientifically proven benefits
A 2013 study published in "Reproductive BioMedicine Online" examined the effect of folic acid on the quality of oocytes in women with infertility. The results showed that folic acid could improve oocyte quality in these women.
A 2014 study published in "The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry" examined the effect of antioxidants on the quality of oocytes in rats. The results showed that antioxidants could improve oocyte quality.
A 2015 study published in "Fertility and Sterility" looked at the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a type of omega-3, on the quality of oocytes in women with infertility. The results showed that DHA supplementation could improve oocyte quality in these women .
A 2014 study published in "The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry" examined the effect of antioxidants on the quality of oocytes in rats. The results showed that antioxidants could improve oocyte quality.
A 2015 study published in "Fertility and Sterility" looked at the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a type of omega-3, on the quality of oocytes in women with infertility. The results showed that DHA supplementation could improve oocyte quality in these women .
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