Juneau CR, et al. - The prevalence of celiac disease in the infertile population undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and outcomes were assessed. These patients had similar seropositive celiac disease prevalence as observed in the general population (2.8%). Patients who were seropositive for celiac disease-related antibodies vs those who were seronegative had equivalent outcomes. No improved outcomes were seen among patients on a gluten-free diet.

Methods

• Researchers performed a prospective cohort study including women 18–45 years of age participating in IVF at a single infertility center from January 2016 to March 2017.
• Celiac disease was screened among patients via serum tissue transglutaminase (tTG) and endomysial (EMA) IgA tests, and a 10-question “yes or no” survey was used to assess their medical history, previous testing, dietary habits, and pertinent symptoms.
• Seronegative and seropositive patients were compared regarding IVF cycle outcomes.

Results

• Researchers enrolled 1,000 patients; of these, 995 completed serologic screening and 968 underwent oocyte retrieval.
• For both tTG and EMA, 18 patients screened positive (1.8%); 10 additional patients (1.0%) screened positive for one of the two antibodies.
• Seronegative and seropositive patients showed equivalent outcomes regarding the number of mature oocytes retrieved, fertilization rates, and blastulation rates.
• The questionnaire was completed by 987 patients (98.7%), and 84 patients reported being gluten free (8.5%).
• Compared to the general population, patients reported being gluten free showed no higher tendency to be antibody positive.
• Furthermore, no association of a low-gluten diet with markers of ovarian reserve, oocytes retrieved, fertilization, blastulation, sustained implantation and pregnancy loss rates was evident.