Preconception resveratrol intake against infertility: Friend or foe?

Abstract

Background Resveratrol is an antiaging, antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and insulin‐sensitizing natural polyphenolic compound. Growing evidence indicates that resveratrol has potential therapeutic effects in infertile women with diminished ovarian function, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or endometriosis. However, only one clinical trial in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles using resveratrol has ever been reported. This review focuses on the potential therapeutic effects of resveratrol on pregnancy and on its advantages and disadvantages in pregnancy outcomes during infertility treatment. Methods We performed a literature review to describe the known impacts of resveratrol on the ovary and endometrium. Results Resveratrol upregulates sirtuin (SIRT)1 expression in ovaries, which is associated with protection against oxidative stress. It leads to the activation of telomerase activity and mitochondrial function, improving ovarian function. In the endometrium, resveratrol downregulates the CRABP2‐RAR pathway leading to suppressing decidual and senescent changes of endometrial cells, which is essential for embryo implantation and placentation. Moreover, resveratrol may also induce deacetylation of important decidual‐related genes. Conclusions Resveratrol has potential therapeutic effects for improving ovarian function; however, it also has anti‐deciduogenic actions in uterine endometrium. In addition, its teratogenicity has not yet been ruled out; thus, resveratrol should be avoided during the luteal phase and pregnancy.

The Role of Resveratrol in Mammalian Reproduction

“…Growing evidences indicate the role of resveratrol in ovarian function and steroidogenesis modulation mediated by sirtuins [ 12 , 14 ] ( Figure 2 ).…”

“…Excellent and exhaustive reviews on the role of resveratrol on pregnancy [ 11 ], on the ovarian and endometrial function [ 12 , 13 , 14 ], and on the androgenic production of Leydig cells [ 15 ] have been published. This review aims to summarize the available data on the possible role of resveratrol on reproduction, with a particular focus on animals of veterinary interest.…”

Resveratrol Modulates Transforming Growth Factor-Beta (TGF-β) Signaling Pathway for Disease Therapy: A New Insight into Its Pharmacological Activities

“…From immemorial times, plant-derived natural compounds have been under attention in the treatment of different disorders such as inflammatory diseases, cancers, pulmonary diseases, metabolic disorders, neurological disorders (NDs) including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), infertility, and so on [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Phytochemicals can exhibit beneficial actions against diseases due to their excellent pharmacological activities [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”

The Controversial Roles of Resveratrol in Mammalian Reproduction

“…Growing evidences indicate the role of resveratrol in ovarian function and steroidogenesis modulation mediated by sirtuins [11,13] (Figure 2).…”

“…Excellent and exhaustive reviews on the role of resveratrol on pregnancy [10], on the ovarian and endometrial function [11][12][13], on the androgenic production of Leydig cells [14] have been published. However, to the best of our knowledge, no recent review has examined the role of resveratrol in reproductive function.…”