PD203 - BODY COMPOSITION-FOCUSED NUTRITIONAL INTERVENTION IN UNDERWEIGHT WOMEN UNDERGOING IN VITRO FERTILIZATION (IVF)

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PD203

BODY COMPOSITION-FOCUSED NUTRITIONAL INTERVENTION IN UNDERWEIGHT WOMEN UNDERGOING IN VITRO FERTILIZATION (IVF)

E. De Waele 1,2,3,*, C. Voros4, L. Leemans1,2,5, D. R. Kalaitzopoulos4, I. Saavedra4, C. Blockeel4

1Department of Nutrition, 2Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, 3Vitality Research Group, 4Centre for Reproductive Medicine, 5Rehabilitation Research Department, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel-University Hospital Brussels, Brussels, Belgium

 

Rationale: Low body mass index (BMI) is linked to poor reproductive outcomes due to endocrine and metabolic dysregulation. Underweight status may reflect reduced energy availability and altered metabolic signaling, potentially affecting reproductive function and endometrial receptivity. Whether individualized, biometric parameter–based metabolic optimization improves IVF outcomes in this group remains unknown.

Methods: A retrospective paired analysis included twelve women (mean age 35 years; BMI <18 kg/m²) undergoing IVF. Each participant served as her own control, comparing an unsuccessful IVF cycle with a subsequent cycle following the Fertility Metabolism (FerMet) intervention. The program was based on body composition assessment (bioelectrical impedance analysis), indirect calorimetry, and food diary analysis. A new IVF cycle was initiated after a >10% increase in fat mass. Outcomes were analyzed using paired statistics (Wilcoxon signed-rank and McNemar’s exact test; p <0.05).

Results: Fat mass index significantly increased after the FerMet intervention (p =0.027), while fat-free mass and related indices remained stable. No significant differences were observed in standard IVF laboratory parameters, including oocyte yield, fertilization, or blastulation rates. However, post-intervention cycles showed more positive human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) tests, clinical pregnancies, and live births, showing a consistent positive trend across all clinical outcomes despite limited statistical power.

Conclusion: Targeting body composition and energy availability rather than weight alone may improve metabolic balance and reproductive outcomes in underweight IVF patients. Improved adipose function and metabolic stability could enhance implantation potential and clinical outcomes. Larger, prospective studies are recommended to confirm these findings.

 

Disclosure of Interest: None declared