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Human Reproduction Update Advance Access originally published online on January 5, 2007
Human Reproduction Update 2007 13(3):209-223; doi:10.1093/humupd/dml056
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© The Author 2007. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

The impact of lifestyle factors on reproductive performance in the general population and those undergoing infertility treatment: a review

G.F. Homan1,2,3, M. Davies1 and R. Norman1,2

1 Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Research Centre for Reproductive Health, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Medical School, University of Adelaide, SA, Australia 2 Repromed, Dulwich, SA, Australia

3 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: 180 Fullarton Rd, Dulwich, SA 5065, Australia. E-mail: gill.homan{at}adelaide.edu.au

This evidence-based review focuses on the impact of potentially modifiable, non-communicable lifestyle factors on reproductive performance in the general population and the infertile population undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. The impact of several lifestyle factors including; age, weight, smoking, diet, exercise, psychological stress, caffeine consumption, alcohol consumption and exposure to environmental pollutants are included in the review. The databases of Medline, PubMed and Cinahl were searched to identify relevant publications. There is strong evidence that age, weight and smoking impact on general health and adversely on reproductive performance. However there is a need for further research focusing specifically on the relationship between diet and various levels of exercise on reproductive performance. There are several other factors such as psychological stress, caffeine consumption, alcohol consumption and exposure to environmental pollutants that have been implicated but the evidence is equivocal. It is concluded that lifestyle modification can assist couples to conceive spontaneously or optimize their chances of conception with ART treatment.

Key words: age / lifestyle / reproductive performance / smoking / weight

Received on June 2, 2006; revised October 1, 2006; accepted on November 3, 2006


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