Masters Degrees (Human Nutrition)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Human Nutrition) by Author "Bronkhorst, Maryke"

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    Polyunsaturated fatty acid status in individuals with poly cystic ovarian syndrome
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04) Bronkhorst, Maryke; Visser, Janicke; Smuts, M.; Van Rensburg, J.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Global Health. Human Nutrition.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Introduction: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age and a leading cause of female infertility. PCOS patients are more susceptible to develop insulin resistance while hyperinsulinemia is known to aggravate reproductive dysfunction. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), have been shown to improve metabolic parameters. The purpose of the study was to determine whether there was a difference in PUFA status between women with PCOS who were struggling to conceive and a control group. Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional case control study including a total of 77 subjects was conducted. The study group (n = 39) was women with PCOS and infertility (> 6 months), and a control group (n = 38) was used. Independent t-tests, Levene’s test and analysis of variance were used to analyse the data. Demographic information, anthropometric parameters, medical history, supplement history, fertility history, three-day food intake records and plasma phospholipids and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) red blood cell membranes were compared between the groups. Results: Dietary intake of docosahexanoic acid (C22:6n3 DHA) (p = 0.043) and docosapentanoic acid (C22:5n3 DPA) (p = 0.029) were all significantly higher in the control group. Dietary eicosapentanoic acid (C20:5n3 EPA) did not differ significantly between the groups although a trend towards higher levels in the control group was observed (p = 0.062). Plasma phospholipid fatty acids with a significantly higher concentration in the study group were stearic acid (C18:0) (p = 0.005), elaidic acid (C18:1n9T) (p = 0.042), mead acid (C20:3n9) (p = 0.039) and C20:3n6 (p = 0.013). The plasma phospholipid omega-6:omega-3 ratio (n-6:n-3) was higher in women with PCOS (with a trend towards significance [p = 0.071]). The study group had significantly higher plasma phospholipid n-6:n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) compared to the control group when adjusted for possible confounding of PUFA supplementation (p = 0.039) and PUFA supplementation with endometriosis (p = 0.048). Plasma phospholipid omega-3 fatty acids were higher in the control group compared to the study group for DHA (p = 0.029), total n-3 PUFAs (p = 0.036) and n3-LC-PUFAs (p = 0.036). Conclusion: Significantly lower plasma phospholipid omega-3 PUFAs (p = 0.036), in particular DHA (p = 0.029), were observed in women with PCOS and infertility. Conversely, mead acid was significantly higher in this group. In addition, a higher plasma n6:n3 PUFA ratio was observed in women with PCOS (with a trend towards significance). The findings of this study demonstrate that plasma phospholipid fatty acid profiles differ between women with PCOS and infertility and controls and might provide a complementary approach to treatment of PCOS. PUFA’s could therefore potentially play a role in the management of PCOS and infertility.