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Impact of Diet, Nutrition and Lifestyle on Reproductive Health

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 December 2024 | Viewed by 3804

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119228, Singapore
Interests: nutrition; lipidomics; metabolomics; diet; micronutrients and minerals; macronutrients; reproduction; puberty; male fertility; female fertility; menopause

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Co-Guest Editor
Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National Univeristy of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
Interests: nutrition and lifestyle; omics research; maternal and child health; women’s health; genetic and metabolic determinants and health consequences of obesity; gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes and related comorbidities; developmental origins of diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A balanced diet and good nutrition are essential for the general health, growth and well-being of an individual. The impact of an individual’s health and longevity is dependent on their reproductive health. Boys and girls need to have the correct nutrition and diets tailored to their unique needs during the growing phase. For example, girls should maintain a healthy weight and proper body composition to avoid extreme weights such as obesity which can lead to early menarche and is associated long-term health sequelae. Additionally, body weight which is too low is unhealthy and will lead to poor bone mass development. This will result in an elevated risk of osteoporosis. Hence, proper nutrition from a young age may potentially offer the best health shield against chronic diseases and ensure optimal health during conception, pregnancy and delivery.

The Special Issue highlights the impact of diet and nutrition on an individual’s reproductive lifespan and healthspan. We aim to provide new insights into the role of diet and nutrition in maintaining and promoting reproductive health in both men and women throughout their entire lifespan, especially in women from puberty, reproductive age and menopause.  Furthermore, with the global fertility crisis occurring, especially in Asia (with one of the world’s lowest total fertility rates), this Special Issue will focus on evidence-based reviews and original laboratory research that explore and derive guidance on the intake levels of micro- and macronutrients, antioxidants and their impact on fertility and reproductive health. I encourage authors to submit their original research on this essential topic to boost reproductive health through a life-long healthy diet.

Dr. Zhongwei Huang
Prof. Dr. Cuilin Zhang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nutrition
  • lipidomics
  • metabolomics
  • diet
  • micronutrients and minerals
  • macronutrients
  • reproduction
  • puberty
  • reproduction
  • male fertility
  • female fertility
  • menopause

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 3657 KiB  
Article
Effects of Dietary Quality on Vaginal Microbiome Composition Throughout Pregnancy in a Multi-Ethnic Cohort
by Corrie Miller, Kira Morikawa, Paula Benny, Jonathan Riel, Marie K. Fialkowski, Yujia Qin, Vedbar Khadka and Men-Jean Lee
Nutrients 2024, 16(19), 3405; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16193405 - 8 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1022
Abstract
Background: Vaginal Lactobacillus predominance is associated with improved vaginal health and reduced pregnancy complications. Little is known about how dietary quality may improve vaginal microbial composition or about dietary interventions that may promote Lactobacillus abundance. To understand the host factors affecting vaginal [...] Read more.
Background: Vaginal Lactobacillus predominance is associated with improved vaginal health and reduced pregnancy complications. Little is known about how dietary quality may improve vaginal microbial composition or about dietary interventions that may promote Lactobacillus abundance. To understand the host factors affecting vaginal microbiota during pregnancy in a multi-ethnic cohort in Hawai`i. We hypothesize that better diet quality improves vaginal microbial composition, as represented by Lactobacillus abundance and depletion of anaerobic organisms. Methods: We compared comprehensive diet quality, as measured by the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), to taxonomic classifications of bacteria present within the vagina. Participants of the four predominant ethnic groups in Hawai’i (Japanese, Filipino, Non-Hispanic White and Native Hawaiian) completed Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaires (QFFQs) and collected vaginal swabs during each trimester. 16s rRNA amplicon sequencing (V2–V9 regions) was performed on vaginal samples. HEI-2015 scores and macro- and micronutrient intake were compared with the predominant species present using the Mann–Whitney-U test, PERMANOVA, and the Pearson correlation coefficient. A mixed-effects logistics regression model was used to predict the depletion of Lactobacillus species while accounting for confounding demographic factors. Results: Matched, longitudinal data for 40 participants demonstrated three predominant Lactobacillus species: L. crispatus, L. iners, and L. gasseri, with another subset of samples with anaerobic abundance. (Primarily, Atopobium vaginae, Prevotella, and Gardnerella vaginalis.) Non-Hispanic White participants had lower amounts of Lactobacillus iners compared to other racial and ethnic groups. HEI scores correlated with the chao index and observed species number primarily in the first trimester (r = 0.25, p < 0.05). Greater carbohydrate intake was associated with a higher abundance of L. crispatus, while lower carbohydrate intake trended towards more L. iners (0.056) and anaerobic species. Conclusions: Increased carbohydrate consumption and improved diet quality may be associated with beneficial vaginal microbial composition in pregnancy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Diet, Nutrition and Lifestyle on Reproductive Health)
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11 pages, 804 KiB  
Article
Diet and Nutritional Status of Women of Reproductive Age (15–49 Years) in Indigenous Communities of Attappady, Kerala, India
by P. V. Sunu, Abdul Jaleel, G. Neeraja, G. Jayalakshmi, D. Narasimhulu, B. Senthilkumar, T. Santhoshkumar, K. Sreeramakrishna and N. Arlappa
Nutrients 2024, 16(16), 2698; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16162698 - 14 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1390
Abstract
The dietary patterns and quality of diets of women of reproductive age (WRA) significantly affect their health and that of their children. The suboptimal diet among women can lead to issues such as intrauterine growth retardation, low birth weight, premature birth, and malnutrition. [...] Read more.
The dietary patterns and quality of diets of women of reproductive age (WRA) significantly affect their health and that of their children. The suboptimal diet among women can lead to issues such as intrauterine growth retardation, low birth weight, premature birth, and malnutrition. To examine the dietary patterns and nutrient intake of WRA in the indigenous communities of the Attappady tribal block in Kerala, we conducted a cross-sectional study in 20 randomly selected villages in 2022. The study involved 24 h dietary recall surveys, anthropometric measurements, and estimation of hemoglobin concentration to assess nutrient intake and nutritional status. A total of 446 women aged 15–49 from 423 households participated, with 92 households included in the diet survey. The findings indicated that the diet was primarily based on cereals and root-based starchy staples, with low consumption of dairy products, fruits, and vegetables. The estimated intakes of major nutrients, except for protein, were lower than the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). Nearly 50% of the WRA were malnourished. About 32% of non-pregnant and non-lactating (NPNL) women and 40% of lactating mothers suffered from chronic energy deficiency (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2). Conversely, 13.4% of NPNL women and 15% of lactating mothers were overweight or obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2). A total of 12.5% of adolescent girls aged 15–19 were thin (BAZ < −2 SD), and 10.5% were overweight or obese (BAZ > +1 SD). Since the co-existence of micronutrient deficiencies and undernutrition is rooted in the socio-cultural aspects of indigenous tribes, a culturally sensitive nutrition intervention model would be appropriate for the better health and wellbeing of women in the community. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Diet, Nutrition and Lifestyle on Reproductive Health)
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11 pages, 4516 KiB  
Article
Impact of Serum Amyloid A Protein in the Human Breast: An In Vitro Study
by Carolina Dumke de Siqueira, Fátima Regina Mena Barreto Silva, Leandro Borges, Ana Carolina Rabello de Moraes, Elaine Hatanaka and Fabíola Branco Filippin-Monteiro
Nutrients 2024, 16(14), 2283; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16142283 - 16 Jul 2024
Viewed by 931
Abstract
The mammary gland is an exocrine gland whose main function is to produce milk. Breast morphogenesis begins in the embryonic period; however, its greatest development takes place during the lactation period. Studies have found the expression of serum amyloid A protein (SAA) in [...] Read more.
The mammary gland is an exocrine gland whose main function is to produce milk. Breast morphogenesis begins in the embryonic period; however, its greatest development takes place during the lactation period. Studies have found the expression of serum amyloid A protein (SAA) in both breast cells and breast milk, yet the function of this protein in these contexts remains unknown. Insufficient milk production is one of the most frequent reasons for early weaning, a problem that can be related to the mother, the newborn, or both. This study aims to investigate the relationship between lactogenesis II (the onset of milk secretion) and the role of SAA in the human breast. To this end, mammary epithelial cell cultures were evaluated for the expression of SAA and the influence of various cytokines. Additionally, we sought to assess the activation pathway through which SAA acts in the breast, its glucose uptake capacity, and the morphological changes induced by SAA treatment. SAA expression was observed in mammary epithelial cells; however, it was not possible to establish its activation pathway, as treatments with inhibitors of the ERK1/2, p38MAPK, and PI3K pathways did not alter its expression. This study demonstrated that SAA can stimulate IL-6 expression, inhibit glucose uptake, and cause morphological changes in the cells, indicative of cellular stress. These mechanisms could potentially contribute to early breastfeeding cessation due to reduced milk production and breast involution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Diet, Nutrition and Lifestyle on Reproductive Health)
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