title: The effect of micronutrient supplements on female fertility.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Benefit of micronutrient supplementation on female fertility.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reports of randomized trials are rare. Most studies are focused on multivitamin supplementations. For some micronutrients, a positive impact on fertility could be shown. This article reviews the available clinical studies as well as the pathophysiological background of possible effects and summarizes the potential benefits of selected micronutrients on female fertility.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Apart from lowering the malformation risk by periconceptional supplementation of folic acid, substitution with different micronutrients, particularly folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, iodine, selenium, iron, and DHA might have a positive impact on infertility treatment. The multivitamin formulation should take the pathophysiology, clinical studies, and upper limits into account.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Gynecology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. k.buehling@uke.de
authors.forename: Kai J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Buhling
authors.forename: Donata
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grajecki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000178:diet therapy*; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000517:prevention & control*; D039401:Prenatal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012643:Selenium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D018977:Micronutrients; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D005492:Folic Acid; D012643:Selenium; D001205:Ascorbic Acid