Inositol and In Vitro Fertilization with Embryo Transfer

Abstract

Recently, studies on inositol supplementation during in vitro fertilization program (IVF) have gained particular importance due to the effect of this molecule on reducing insulin resistance improving ovarian function, oocyte quality, and embryo and pregnancy rates and reducing gonadotropin amount during stimulation. Inositol and its isoforms, especially myoinositol (MYO), are often used as prestimulation therapy in infertile patients undergoing IVF cycle. Inositol supplementation started three months before ovarian stimulation, resulting in significant improvements in hormonal responses, reducing the amount of FSH necessary for optimal follicle development and serum levels of 17beta-estradiol measured the day of hCG injection. As shown by growing number of trials, MYO supplementation improves oocyte quality by reducing the number of degenerated and immature oocytes, in this way increasing the quality of embryos produced. Inositol can also improve the quality of sperm parameters in those patients affected by oligoasthenoteratozoospermia.

Myo-Inositol and Its Derivatives: Their Emerging Role in the Treatment of Human Diseases

“…This MI depletion eventually leads to poor oocyte quality (Carlomagno et al, 2011). MI supplementation may salvage the situation by improving oocyte quality (Simi et al, 2017).…”

The Healing-Promoting Properties of Selected Cyclitols—A Review

“…Women receiving MI required a significantly lower total dose of gonadotropins for stimulation, which reduced the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. In those patients who were prepared for extracorporeal fertilization programs, who received MI and DCI, had higher quality of oocytes and embryos, as well as a greater number of reported pregnancies after the transfer [11,71].…”

Effect of a Combination of Myo-Inositol, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and Folic Acid on Oocyte Morphology and Embryo Morphokinetics in non-PCOS Overweight/Obese Patients Undergoing IVF: A Pilot, Prospective, Randomized Study

“…Myo-Inositol (MI) was demonstrated to exert beneficial effects on overweight/obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), being able to increase mature oocytes yield, oocyte nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation, and finally embryo development [ 11 , 39 ], probably due to its capacity to provide metabolites able to mediate insulin action [ 40 ]. However, MI effects on pregnancy and live birth rates after IVF are still a matter of debate [ 41 ].…”