Diminished ovarian reserve is associated with metabolic disturbances and hyperhomocysteinemia in women with infertility

J Obstet Gynaecol. 2023 Dec;43(2):2282722. doi: 10.1080/01443615.2023.2282722. Epub 2023 Nov 27.

Abstract

Background: To distinguish the metabolic profile between women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and those with normal ovarian reserve (NOR).

Methods: In this retrospective study, we enrolled 524 women under the age of 40 who were experiencing infertility: 261 in the DOR group and 263 in the NOR group. Physical characteristics and metabolic parameters were compared between these two groups.

Results: Women with DOR exhibited a higher propensity for elevated parameters including body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), as well as heightened serum levels of homocysteine (Hcy), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, while concurrently experiencing reduced serum levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the incidence rates of TG ≥ 1.7 mmol/L, hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, SBP/DBP ≥ 130/85 mmHg, and metabolic syndrome (MS) were significantly elevated within the DOR group as compared to the NOR group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The prevalence of metabolic disturbances and HHcy were notably elevated in women with infertility and DOR compared to those with NOR.

Keywords: Cardiovascular risk; dyslipidemia; hyperhomocysteinemia; metabolic disturbances; ovarian reserve.

Plain language summary

This study focused on the metabolic condition of women who had difficulty getting pregnant and had a decreased ovarian reserve. The findings indicated that these women had a higher likelihood of glucose and lipid metabolic disorders and elevated serum homocysteine levels compared to those with a normal ovarian reserve. These metabolic issues and elevated serum homocysteine levels were associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia* / complications
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia* / epidemiology
  • Infertility*
  • Metabolic Syndrome* / complications
  • Metabolic Syndrome* / epidemiology
  • Ovarian Diseases*
  • Ovarian Reserve*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Triglycerides

Substances

  • Triglycerides