The effect of evening primrose oil supplementation on fertility outcomes in infertile women treated with IVF: a three-blind controlled randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Fertility is a common problem among couples, its prevalence in different countries of the world is about 5-30%, Among Iranian couples, 10.9 % has been reported. Fatty acids with more than one unsaturated bond (PUFA, Poly unsaturated fatty acids), especially omega-3s and omega-6s, have an amazing effect on embryo implantation and improving reproductive function. Prostaglandin E2 is known to be an important factor in embryo implantation. Evening primrose oil is one of the rich sources of omega-6. This study was performed to determine the effect of evening primrose oil supplementation on fertility outcomes in infertile women treated with IVF. Materials and methods: The present study is a randomized, controlled, phase three, three-blind, and randomized clinical trial which was performed in Milad and Al-Zahra infertility clinics affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences from January 2017 to May 2021. By observing the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 84 infertile women candidates for IVF in two groups of treatment with evening primrose oil supplement and placebo, with the allocation ratio 1:1 which were stratified in terms of type of infertility were included in the study. The intervention group received evening primrose oil capsules (containing 13% gammalinolenic acid and 72% linoleic acid) and the control group received a placebo of the same shape and color as the intervention group. Finally, fertility results including: fertility rate, ovarian sensitivity index (OSI), fetal quality and positive pregnancy test and implantation rate were determined in two groups. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, ANCOVA tests and logistic regression test. Findings: Evening primrose supplementation had no significant effect on fertility compared with placebo group. Also, there was no significant difference in the number of punctured eggs, number of fertilized eggs, number of embryos obtained, number of embryos transferred, number of gestational sacs, FSH dose received, transfer process and embryo quality. But research results showed that there was a significant difference in mean (standard deviation) of the rate of implantation 0.191(-0.028 to 0.355) (p=0.023) and positive pregnancy test 7.007(1.234 to 39.785) (p=0.028) in the evening flower group compared to the placebo group. Conclusion: Use evening primrose supplement for 2 weeks Improved IVF results in terms of implantation rate and increased the number of positive pregnancy tests. Therefore, the use of PUFA supplements is recommended to improve IVF results in infertile women.