Randomized controlled trial of astaxanthin impacts on antioxidant status and assisted reproductive technology outcomes in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

What this study found

Astaxanthin improved systemic antioxidant status and some assisted reproductive technology outcomes, but it did not improve chemical or clinical pregnancy rates. Compared with placebo, the astaxanthin group had a higher MII oocyte rate (71.73 ± 11.61 vs 63.00 ± 12.79; P = 0.029) and higher-quality embryo rate (52.93 ± 9.7 vs 39.94 ± 13.04; P < 0.001). Follicle number, embryo number, and fertilization rate were not significantly different, and the authors also reported increased total antioxidant capacity, catalase activity, and Nrf2 pathway activation in granulosa cells. Overall, astaxanthin…

Study & population

Randomized controlled trial in reproductive-age women with polycystic ovary syndrome (Rotterdam criteria) and primary infertility undergoing assisted reproductive technology at a fertility clinic in Tehran, Iran.

Intervention

Astaxanthin was given orally at 8 mg/day as 2 × 4 mg capsules for 40 days.

Key limitation

The sample size was small and the study was single-center, which limits generalizability.

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