New research indicates that a natural compound found in the skin of grapes, blueberries and raspberries has the potential to improve female fertility, by improving the quantity and quality of egg cells.
The systematic review into resveratrol, which is a polyphenolic compound known for its anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, is published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), alongside colleagues from Italy, South Korea, and a Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation Trust, examined all previously published research on resveratrol’s effect on female reproductive health.
By collating and reviewing results from 24 in vitro and in vivo studies involving a total of 9,563 human participants, they found evidence to suggest resveratrol can improve the quantity and quality of egg cells, which are called oocytes.
Two of the studies specifically assessed the quality of matured oocytes and both reported an improvement among the women who took resveratrol. Four studies investigated resveratrol in connection with the quantity of matured oocytes, and two reported a notable increase in the number of egg cells, while the other two found no increase.
A possible explanation is that resveratrol reduces oxidative stress, helping to protect mitochondrial DNA from damage and enhance telomerase activity, to reduce cellular aging. Resveratrol also activates the molecule sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), which is typically reduced in aged oocytes, therefore the resveratrol may be slowing cell aging and extending ovarian lifespan.
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The review also found evidence that resveratrol could potentially treat infertility associated with endometriosis, and have positive effects on polycystic ovary syndrome and obesity-related infertility, by inhibiting pathways involved in androgen production and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
“Our systematic review on resveratrol and female fertility is a comprehensive overview of all current research, and it highlights the compound’s potential to improve reproductive outcomes and possibly pave the way for new, less invasive treatments, using natural substances,” said Lee Smith, Professor of Public Health at ARU and senior author of the paper.
Resveratrol is generally considered safe when consumed in moderate amounts through diet and through supplements, in doses up to five grams per day for a month, but the safety of higher doses, particularly over long periods, remains untested.
There were mixed results from studies that looked at pregnancy rates among those taking resveratrol. Of the five studies, two reported an increase, two found no difference, and one indicated a decrease.
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Although Prof. Smith characterized them as “promising results”, the team’s findings are based on a limited number of human studies, so they’re calling for further clinical trials to gather more robust data on dosage and side effects.
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