Table 3.
Associations between folate intake and early ART outcomes in 222 women (289 fresh IVF cycles with egg retrieval) from the Environment and Reproductive Health Study.
| Quartile (median, μg/day) | Total Oocyte Yield | M2 Oocytes | Fertilization Rate | % With ≥1 Best Quality Embryo on Day 2 & 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjusted Mean (95% CI) | ||||
|
| ||||
| Total Folate (in DFE) | ||||
| Q1 ((<1262) | 11.5 (10.3, 12.9) | 10.0 (9.0, 11.1) | 0.70 (0.64, 0.75) | 62 (48, 74) |
| Q2 (1262–1778) | 9.9 (8.9, 11.1) | 8.8 (7.9, 9.9) | 0.69 (0.63, 0.74) | 62 (48, 74) |
| Q3 ((1779–2352) | 11.3 (10.1, 12.6) | 9.2 (8.2, 10.3) | 0.72 (0.67, 0.78) | 60 (46, 73) |
| Q4 (>2352) | 10.3 (9.2, 11.5) | 8.7 (7.8, 9.7) | 0.76 (0.71, 0.81) | 68 (55, 79) |
| P trend | 0.48 | 0.16 | 0.06 | 0.54 |
| Supplemental Folate | ||||
| Q1 ((<400) | 12.1 (10.9, 13.6) | 10.7 (9.6, 11.9) | 0.68 (0.62, 0.73) | 62 (47, 74) |
| Q2 (400–543) | 10.3 (9.3, 11.5)* | 8.8 (7.9, 9.8)* | 0.70 (0.65, 0.75) | 58 (45, 70) |
| Q3 (544–800) | 10.3 (9.1, 11.5)* | 8.6 (7.7, 9.6)* | 0.73 (0.67, 0.78) | 68 (53, 79) |
| Q4 ((>800) | 10.4 (9.4, 11.6) | 8.8 (8.0, 9.8)* | 0.76 (0.71, 0.80)* | 65 (52, 77) |
| P trend | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 0.42 |
| Food Folate | ||||
| Q1 (<371) | 11.0 (9.9, 12.3) | 9.4 (8.4, 10.5) | 0.68 (0.62, 0.74) | 56 (42, 69) |
| Q2 (372–436) | 10.4 (9.3, 11.6) | 8.9 (7.9, 9.9) | 0.74 (0.68, 0.79) | 71 (58, 81) |
| Q3 (437–534) | 9.8 (8.8, 11.0) | 8.4 (7.5, 9.4) | 0.75 (0.69, 0.80) | 68 (54, 79) |
| Q4 (>534) | 11.7 (10.5, 13.1) | 10.0 (9.0, 11.2) | 0.71 (0.65, 0.76) | 57 (43, 71) |
| P trend | 0.36 | 0.35 | 0.78 | 0.85 |
Abbreviations: CI, confidence interval; ART, assisted reproductive technology; DFE, dietary folate equivalents; M2, mature oocytes.
All analyses were run using generalized linear mixed models with random intercepts, Poisson (for oocyte counts) or binomial (for fertilization and embryo quality) distribution, log (for oocyte counts) or logit (for fertilization and embryo quality) link function.
Indicates a p-value < 0.05 comparing that quartile vs. first quartile.
Data are predicted marginal means adjusted for calorie intake, age, BMI, race, smoking status, infertility diagnosis, and protocol type, unless otherwise specified.