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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 July 2025 | Viewed by 7584

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Zhongwei Huang

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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

Prof. Dr. Cuilin Zhang

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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
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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 (7 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 629 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antioxidant Intake and Ovarian Reserve in Women Attending a Fertility Center

by Ana B. Maldonado-Cárceles, Irene Souter, Ming-Chieh Li, Makiko Mitsunami, Irene Dimitriadis, Jennifer B. Ford, Lidia Mínguez-Alarcón and Jorge E. Chavarro

Nutrients 2025, 17(3), 554; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17030554 - 31 Jan 2025

Viewed by 466

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between antioxidant intake and antral follicle count (AFC), a marker of ovarian reserve, in women attending a fertility clinic. Methods: We conducted an observational study with 567 women undergoing infertility evaluation at the Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center, who were enrolled in the Environment and Reproductive Health (EARTH) study. Participants filled out the lifestyle and health questionnaires and a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for assessing habitual dietary intake and underwent a transvaginal ultrasound to measure AFC. Intake of nutrients with direct antioxidant capacity (vitamin A, C, and E and carotenoids) and intake of antioxidant food sources were estimated from the FFQ. Adjusted Poisson regression models were fitted to assess the relationships between antioxidants and AFC while adjusting for potential confounders. Non-linearity was assessed with restricted cubic splines. Results: The median (interquartile range) age and AFC of participants were 35.0 (32.0–38.0) years and 13 (9–18), respectively. Our findings revealed a non-linear association between lycopene intake and AFC. There was a positive linear association with the highest AFC among women consuming approximately 6000 mcg/day of lycopene (P for non-linearity = 0.003). An inverse association was observed between retinol intake, predominantly from dairy foods, and AFC among women aged under 35 years (P-trend < 0.001 and 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that lycopene intake might influence the ovarian reserve in fertility patients. The observed inverse association with retinol, if confirmed, may reflect biological mechanisms different from oxidative stress. The underlying mechanisms of these associations remain to be elucidated and warrant further investigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Diet, Nutrition and Lifestyle on Reproductive Health)

14 pages, 230 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association of Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load, and Carbohydrate Intake with Antral Follicle Counts Among Subfertile Females

by Makiko Mitsunami, Maryam Kazemi, Amy R. Nichols, Lidia Mínguez-Alarcón, Victoria W. Fitz, Irene Souter, Russ Hauser and Jorge E. Chavarro

Nutrients 2025, 17(3), 382; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17030382 - 21 Jan 2025

Viewed by 461

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Few studies have investigated the association of dietary glycemic index (GI), glycemic load (GL), and carbohydrate intake with antral follicle count (AFC). This study aimed to investigate the association of total carbohydrate intake and carbohydrate quality, measured by dietary GI and GL, with ovarian reserve assessed by AFC. Methods: This study included 653 females from the Environment And Reproductive Health Study who completed AFC and food frequency questionnaire. Of these, 579 female individuals had a quantifiable AFC in both ovaries and were included in the primary analysis. We estimated average GI and GL for each participant from self-reported intakes of carbohydrate-containing foods and divided participants into tertiles. Poisson regression models were used to quantify the relations of GI, GL, carbohydrates, and AFC while adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Participants had a median age of 35 y. Compared to participants in the lowest tertile of dietary GI, those in the highest tertile had a 6.3% (0.6%, 12.3%) higher AFC (p, trend 0.03) after adjustment for potential confounders. Stratified analyses revealed that the association between GI and AFC was present only among participants who had not undergone infertility evaluations. Conclusions: A higher dietary GI was associated with a higher AFC. Subgroup analyses among individuals who had not had a diagnostic evaluation of infertility before joining the study suggest that high-glycemic carbohydrates may be related to PCOM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Diet, Nutrition and Lifestyle on Reproductive Health)

21 pages, 2529 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Increased Oxidative and Nitrative Stress and Decreased Sex Steroid Relaxation in a Vitamin D-Deficient Hyperandrogenic Rodent Model—And a Validation of the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Model

by Réka Eszter Sziva, Réka Kollarics, Éva Pál, Bálint Bányai, Ágnes Korsós-Novák, Zoltán Fontányi, Péter Magyar, Anita Süli, György L. Nádasy, Nándor Ács, Eszter Mária Horváth, Leila Hadjadj and Szabolcs Várbíró

Nutrients 2025, 17(2), 201; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17020201 - 7 Jan 2025

Viewed by 789

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Both hyperandrogenism (HA) and vitamin D deficiency (VDD) can separately lead to impaired vascular reactivity and ovulatory dysfunction in fertile females. The aim was to examine the early interactions of these states in a rat model of PCOS. Methods: Four-week-old adolescent female rats were divided into four groups: vitamin D (VD)-supplemented (n = 12); VD-supplemented and testosterone-treated (n = 12); VDD- (n = 11) and VDD-and-testosterone-treated (n = 11). Animals underwent transdermal testosterone treatment for 8 weeks. Target VD levels were achieved with oral VD supplementation and a VD-free diet. Estrous cycles were followed by vaginal smear, and quantitative histomorphometric measurements of the ovaries were also taken. In the 8th week, testosterone- and estrogen-induced relaxation of coronary arterioles was examined with pressure angiography. Estrogen receptor (ER) density and oxidative and nitrative stress parameters (Poly-(ADP-Ribose)-Polymerase and 3-nitrotyrosine) in the vessel wall were investigated with immunohistochemistry. Results: VDD caused impaired estrous cycles, and testosterone caused anovulatory cycles (the cycles were stopped at the diestrous phase). VDD combined with testosterone treatment resulted in reduced testosterone and estrogen vasorelaxation, lower ER density, and higher oxidative and nitrative stress in the vessel wall. Conclusions: PCOS with vitamin D deficiency may be associated with increased oxidative–nitrative stress in coronary arterioles. This oxidative and nitrative stress, potentially caused by hyperandrogenism and/or vitamin D deficiency, could impair estrogen-induced relaxation of the coronary arterioles, possibly by decreasing NO bioavailability and disrupting the estrogen-induced relaxation pathway. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Diet, Nutrition and Lifestyle on Reproductive Health)

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13 pages, 1428 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Body Composition and Dietary Intake of Women Attending an Infertility Clinic—Polish Observational Study

by Adriana Szulińska, Barbara Grzechocińska and Agnieszka Bzikowska-Jura

Nutrients 2024, 16(23), 4070; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16234070 - 27 Nov 2024

Viewed by 703

Abstract

Background and objectives: We aimed to assess the body composition and dietary intake of female patients attending one of the Polish infertility clinics. Additionally, we evaluated if there were any relationships between dietary intake and body composition parameters. Methods: The study involved 51 women who met the inclusion criteria. For the nutritional assessment, we used 3-day dietary records. Weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, and body composition were assessed. The participants were divided into three groups, with low (I, n = 12), normal (II, n = 27), and high (III, n = 12) fat tissue content, and then compared in terms of dietary intake. Results: The lowest protein intake per kilogram of body weight was observed in group III (p < 0.001). In group I, we reported the highest consumption of plant protein in general (p = 0.03) and per kg of body weight (p < 0.001). Higher protein intake per kg body mass was associated with lower values of BMI (r = −0.681; p < 0.001), fat mass (r = −0.641; p < 0.001), waist–hip ratio (r = −0.391; p = 0.005), and abdominal fat index (r = −0.653; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that targeted nutritional counseling focused on optimizing protein intake and emphasizing plant-based sources may improve body composition and potentially support fertility outcomes in women undergoing infertility treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Diet, Nutrition and Lifestyle on Reproductive Health)

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15 pages, 3657 KiB

Open AccessArticle

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 1457

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 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

Open AccessArticle

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 1962

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. 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

Open AccessArticle

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 1090

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 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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