PREPARE - Preconceptional diet and embryo quality: an RCT.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A randomised controlled trial of a preconceptional dietary intervention in women undergoing IVF treatment.
IRAS ID
138110
Contact name
Nick S Macklon
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospitals Southampton NHS trust- R+D
Research summary
This study is a trial of a dietary intervention taken for six weeks prior to in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment in 110 couples. The intervention diet consists of a daily supplemented drink high in Vitamin D (10micrograms) and the omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA (2g daily) together with standard doses of Vitamin C and Folic acid, and olive oil for cooking and olive oil based spreads. The control diet consists of a daily supplemented drink (Folic acid and Vitamin C only) without additional Vitamin D, or Omega 3 polyunsaturated fats, sunflower oil and sunflower based spreads. Each couple will be randomly assigned to one of the two diets and neither the researchers nor the participants will know which group they have been assigned to. The results will be analysed to determine whether the intervention diet improves the quality and number of embryos obtained from the IVF cycle. Differences in the nutrient content of the blood and fluid from the womb and ovaries in the female participants between the two groups will also be examined, as will any change in the semen quality in male participants pre and post intervention. Babies born from the treatment will be examined to assess their body composition at birth.
REC name
South Central - Oxford A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/SC/0544
Date of REC Opinion
15 Nov 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion