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Aspartame Consumption, Mitochondrial Disorder-Induced Impaired Ovarian Function, and Infertility Risk.

International journal of molecular sciences
October 22, 2022
Yang-Ching Chen et al. (7 authors)
Journal ArticleHuman StudyMolecular Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to investigate the harmful effects of aspartame on fertility, focusing on its association with infertility risk, ovarian oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Results Summary

Aspartame consumption was linked to increased infertility risk in younger women, disrupted estrus cycles, reduced anti-Mullerian hormone levels, and elevated ovarian oxidative stress due to impaired mitochondrial function. The study suggests aspartame may reduce ovarian follicle reserves and disrupt steroidogenesis in granulosa cells.

Population

840 pregnant women (retrospective cohort) and animal/in vitro models (granulosa cells).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (12)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Frequent consumption of diet drinks
increase
oocyte dysmorphism
-
-
was associated with
#1
Frequent consumption of diet drinks
decrease
decreased embryo quality
-
-
was associated with
#2
Frequent consumption of diet drinks
decrease
adverse effect on pregnancy rate
-
-
was associated with
#3
Aspartame consumption
increase
infertility risk
younger women
Odds ratio: 1.79, 95% confidence interval: 1.00, 3.22
was associated with increased
#4
Aspartame
increase
the estrus cycle
-
-
disrupted
#5
Aspartame
decrease
the anti-Mullerian hormone level
-
-
reduced
#6
Aspartame treatment
decrease
antioxidative activities
-
-
suppressed
#7
Aspartame treatment
increase
oxidative stress in the ovaries and granulosa cells
-
-
resulted in higher
#8
Aspartame
decrease
mitochondrial function (maximal respiration, spare respiratory capacity, and ATP production capacity)
-
-
induced decline in
#9
Aspartame
increase
mitochondrial biogenesis
-
-
triggered
#10
Aspartame
decrease
fertility by reserving fewer follicles in the ovary
-
-
may alter
#11
Aspartame
decrease
fertility by disrupting steroidogenesis in granulosa cells
-
-
may alter
#12
Abstract

Frequent consumption of diet drinks was associated with oocyte dysmorphism, decreased embryo quality, and an adverse effect on pregnancy rate. We investigated the harmful effects of aspartame and potential mechanisms through which it increases infertility risk through clinical observations and in vivo and in vitro studies. Methods: We established a cohort of 840 pregnant women and retrospectively determined their time to conceive. We assessed the estrus cycle, the anti-Mullerian hormone level, ovarian oxidative stress, and ovarian mitochondrial function in an animal study. We also evaluated mitochondria function, mitochondrial biogenesis, and progesterone release with in vitro studies. Aspartame consumption was associated with increased infertility risk in the younger women (Odds ratio: 1.79, 95% confidence interval: 1.00, 3.22). The results of the in vivo study revealed that aspartame disrupted the estrus cycle and reduced the anti-Mullerian hormone level. Aspartame treatment also suppressed antioxidative activities and resulted in higher oxidative stress in the ovaries and granulosa cells. This phenomenon is caused by an aspartame-induced decline in mitochondrial function (maximal respiration, spare respiratory capacity, and ATP production capacity) and triggered mitochondrial biogenesis (assessed by examining the energy depletion signaling-related factors sirtuin-1, phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1α, and nuclear respiratory factor 1 expression levels). Aspartame may alter fertility by reserving fewer follicles in the ovary and disrupting steroidogenesis in granulosa cells. Hence, women preparing for pregnancy are suggested to reduce aspartame consumption and avoid oxidative stressors of the ovaries.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AnimalsFemaleHumansPregnancyAspartameAnti-Mullerian HormoneRetrospective StudiesMitochondrial DiseasesInfertility
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety30
Efficacy70/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations10
Citations/Year3.3
Relative Citation Ratio1.46
NIH Percentile64.1%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score1.32
Normalized Score0.56
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