Myo-Inositol for Egg Quality, Sperm Health and IVF Success

10/4/2024

Preparing for pregnancy or IVF/ICSI? Egg health and sperm health provide the foundation for success and there are proven strategies you can implement to nurture your egg and sperm, and uterine receptivity for a better outcome.

Building healthy dietary habits to support your fertility and gut microbiome is essential, but evidenced based supplementation is also a key piece of the pathway to pregnancy.
If you are having difficulty getting or staying pregnant, it is likely that you have come across the supplement myo-inositol.

Myo-inositol, a naturally occurring compound that that is often thought of as a B vitamin (although not a true vitamin), has been shown to regulate insulin levels, improve ovarian function, and promote balanced hormone production. Research has revealed that myoinositol supplementation can help regulate menstrual cycles, increase the chances of ovulation, improve egg and sperm quality, and improve IVF success.

What is Myo-inositol?

Myoinositol has been extensively studied for its potential to improve fertility and address the underlying causes of PCOS.

As a key component of cell membranes, myoinositol plays a crucial role in insulin signalling and glucose metabolism. By improving insulin sensitivity, myoinositol can help regulate the production of androgens, restore menstrual regularity, and enhance the chances of ovulation and conception.

Myo-inositol is important for fluid balance, helps rescue misfolded proteins, and plays a key role in all aspects of cell physiology including lipid synthesis, cell morphogenesis, cell membrane structure and function.

Reductions in myo-inositol are seen in metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, PCOS, and abnormalities in egg and sperm production, fertilisation and embryo development.

Myo-inositol Enhances Fertility
and Egg Quality

Myoinositol has been shown to have a direct impact on various aspects of fertility, making it a valuable tool for individuals trying to conceive. One of the primary ways in which myo-inositol enhances fertility is by improving egg quality and ovarian function.

Studies have demonstrated that myo-inositol supplementation can increase the number of mature eggs available for fertilisation, as well as improve the quality of the eggs. This is particularly important for women with PCOS, who often experience difficulties with egg maturation and ovulation.

Myo-inositol supplementation started three months before ovarian stimulation, resulted in significant improvements in hormonal responses, reducing the amount of FSH necessary for optimal follicle development and serum levels of oestradiol measured the day of hCG injection.
By promoting the development of high-quality eggs, myo-inositol can increase the chances of successful fertilisation and implantation.

Myo-inositol for male factor infertility and sperm quality

Myo-inositol has been shown to act both directly on sperm and on spermatogenesis, improving pregnancy rates.

One investigation reported that pregnancy rates of 11 out of 22 couples (50%) where the partner had taken the myo-inositol combination achieving pregnancy, compared to none out of 13 in the control group (0%).

Supplementation with myo-inositol significantly improves semen parameters both in males with low sperm count and motility, and in normal fertile men.

Dosage and Recommended intake of Myo-inositol

When it comes to incorporating myo-inositol into your daily routine, it's important to understand the appropriate dosage and recommended intake. The optimal dosage of myoinositol can vary depending on the individual's specific needs and the intended purpose of the supplementation.

Dietary caffeine intake (particularly coffee) increases the need for myo-inositol, as well as increasing age, antibiotic use, sugar and refined carbohydrate intake, insulin resistance, and type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Additional supplemental myo-inositol can help meet myo-inositol needs and are beneficial for fertility.

Factors that deplete inositol include:

Insulin resistance
Elevated glucose levels
Low sodium intake
Caffeine (coffee, tea, etc)
Microbiome Dysbiosis & Intestinal damage
Magnesium deficiency

For individuals with PCOS, the recommended dosage of myo-inositol typically ranges from 1,200 to 4,000 mg per day, divided into two or three doses. This dosage range has been shown to be effective in improving insulin sensitivity, regulating menstrual cycles, and reducing the symptoms associated with PCOS.

For those seeking to enhance fertility, the recommended dosage of myo-inositol is generally between 2,000 to 4,000 mg per day. This higher dosage has been associated with improved egg quality, increased ovulation rates, and a higher likelihood of successful conception.

It's important to note that the specific dosage may need to be adjusted based on individual factors, such as age and body weight. It's always best to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen, especially for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions or who are taking other medications.

What Foods Contain Myo-Inositol?

The greatest amounts of myo-inositol are present in fruits (especially citrus fruits), beans, grains, and nuts. Including myo-inositol rich foods in your diet can make it possible to achieve an intake of 1.5 grams per day.

Foods containing myo-inositol:

strawberries 19.5 milligrams per ¾cup
cherries 10.5 milligrams per 5 medium cherries
grapes 7.6 milligrams per 12 grapes
tomato 54 milligrams per ½cup
plain yoghurt 14.4 milligrams per 1 cup
whole wheat bread 35.5 milligrams per slice
broccoli-30 milligrams per ½cup
nuts 41.7 milligrams per 8 almonds

Myo-inositol Supplements and Where to Find Them

Myo-inositol is widely available in supplement form, making it accessible to incorporate it your daily routine and reach the doses that have been shown to be effective in enhancing fertility.

When selecting a myo-inositol supplement, it's important to look for high-quality, reputable brands that use pure, pharmaceutical-grade myoinositol. Some key factors to consider when choosing a myo-inositol supplement include:

Purity & Third-party testing: Ensure that the supplement contains pure, high-quality myo-inositol. Opt for supplements that have been tested by independent third-party organisations to ensure quality, safety, and potency. In Australia this would be a TGA Listed supplement.
Dosage: Look for supplements that provide the recommended dosage of myo-inositol, typically between 1,200 to 4,000 mg per day.
Co-factors: Myo-inositol effectiveness has been researched when combined with folate. As 40% of the population can have an MTHFR gene mutation that affects folate absorption, look for a supplement that contains methylated folate which will increase serum folate by 23% to 55% higher when compared to folic acid (Fertile Gut’s Gut + Hormone delivers myo-inositol, methylated folate, vitamin D and pre and probiotics, and is TGA listed).

The Power of Myo-inositol in Improving Fertility

The research supporting the benefits of Myo-inositol make it a natural compound that is a valuable addition to pre-conception preparation. Through its ability to regulate insulin sensitivity, improve ovarian function, and promote hormonal balance, myo-inositol has emerged as a powerful supplement to enhance egg and sperm quality for pregnancy success.

Have you noticed the benefits of including myo-inositol in your pregnancy preparation tool kit?

References

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Korosi T, Barta C, Rokob K, Torok T. Physiological Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (PICSI) outcomes after oral pretreatment and semen incubation with myo-inositol in oligoasthenoteratozoospermic men: results from a prospective, randomized controlled trial. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2017 Jun;21(2 Suppl):66-72. PMID: 28724183.

Miñambres I, Cuixart G, Gonçalves A, Corcoy R. Effects of inositol on glucose homeostasis: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clin Nutr. 2019 Jun;38(3):1146-1152. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2018.06.957. Epub 2018 Jun 21. PMID: 29980312.

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Montanino Oliva M, Buonomo G, Carra MC, Lippa A, Lisi F. Myo-inositol impact on sperm motility in vagina and evaluation of its effects on foetal development. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2020 Mar;24(5):2704-2709. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202003_20540. PMID: 32196621

Santoro M, Aquila S, Russo G. Sperm performance in oligoasthenoteratozoospermic patients is induced by a nutraceuticals mix, containing mainly myo-inositol. Syst Biol Reprod Med. 2021 Feb;67(1):50-63. doi: 10.1080/19396368.2020.1826067. Epub 2020 Oct 23. PMID: 33094655.