Intermittent fasting (IF) can help improve health and extend lifespan. Debates are ongoing about the potential benefit of intermittent fasting of ovarian function, egg quality and reproduction. Decreased oocyte quality and compromised embryo development are common in older women, and a frequent cause of IVF failure.
A very recent study by Li and colleagues (Free Radic Biol Med 2023) on naturally aged mice assessed the role of IF in reproduction, and found that just one month of every-other-day fasting was sufficient to improve oocyte quality. IF increased antral follicle numbers and ovulation as well as enhanced oocyte quality and embryo development.
Collectively, these findings suggest that IF is a feasible approach to protect oocytes against advanced maternal age-related oxidation damage and to improve the reproductive outcomes of aged females. Other studies are ongoing, and the results are warranted to provide evidence-based recommendation to patients.
by Luciano Nardo MD MRCOG FMH, consultant gynaecologist and board certified subspecialist in reproductive medicine NOW-fertility
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