Effect of a High Fat Diet on Ovary Morphology, Oocyte Quality, and In-Vitro Fertilization Rate

Obesity, largely driven by high-fat diet (HFD) consumption, is a significant global health concern that adversely impacts female reproductive health. This review explores the effect of HFD on ovarian morphology, oocyte quality and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) rates. Evidence shows that HFD exposure reduces primordial follicle reserves, increases follicular atresia, and induces lipotoxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction withing oocytes, leading to impaired maturation and fertilization potential. Additionally, HFD alters hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis signalling, disrupts steroidogenesis, and promotes oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, collectively compromising fertility. IVF studies in both animal models and humans reveal that HFD-associated obesity lowers oocyte competence, fertilization rates and pregnancy success, despite sometimes unaffected embryo quality. Mechanistically, endocrine, endocrine and metabolic disturbances underlie these reproductive impairments. Understanding the pathways affected by HFD highlights the need for targeted nutritional and therapeutic interventions to mitigate fertility decline in obese female individuals.