Nutrition for Fertility Flashcards
Which dietary factor is most closely associated with ovulatory infertility?
A. Omega-3 fatty acids
B. Trans fats
C. Antioxidants
D. Folate
Answer: B. Trans fats
Correct Answer: B. Trans fats – Trans fats are closely linked to ovulatory infertility as they disrupt insulin sensitivity and hormone balance.
A. Omega-3 fatty acids: Beneficial for ovulation and reducing inflammation, not associated with infertility.
C. Antioxidants: Protect gametes from oxidative stress but don’t directly cause infertility.
D. Folate: Supports DNA synthesis and gamete health, unrelated to ovulatory dysfunction.
What is the main mechanism by which antioxidants (e.g., vitamins C and E) support fertility?
A. Reducing inflammation in the uterus
B. Neutralizing oxidative stress that damages gametes
C. Enhancing progesterone production
D. Regulating insulin sensitivity
**Answer: B. Neutralizing oxidative stress that damages gametes
**
Correct Answer: B. Neutralizing oxidative stress that damages gametes – Antioxidants reduce free radicals that harm sperm and oocytes.
A. Reducing inflammation in the uterus: Antioxidants don’t specifically target uterine inflammation.
C. Enhancing progesterone production: Antioxidants don’t directly influence progesterone.
D. Regulating insulin sensitivity: Antioxidants primarily address oxidative stress, not insulin.
Which of the following nutrients is critical for preventing neural tube defects (NTDs)?
A. Vitamin A
B. Folic acid
C. Calcium
D. Vitamin K
B. Folic acid: Correct. Folic acid plays a crucial role in neural tube development and significantly reduces the risk of NTDs.
Rationale:
A. Vitamin A: Incorrect. While Vitamin A is important for cellular differentiation and development, it is not specifically linked to the prevention of NTDs.
C. Calcium: Incorrect. Calcium is essential for skeletal and dental development, but it does not prevent NTDs.
D. Vitamin K: Incorrect. Vitamin K is important for blood clotting and bone health but is not related to NTD prevention.
Which hormonal disruption occurs in men due to obesity?
A. Reduced conversion of testosterone to estrogen
B. Elevated gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
C. Low testosterone levels due to increased aromatase activity
D. Increased luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion
**Answer: C. Low testosterone levels due to increased aromatase activity
**
Correct Answer: C. Low testosterone levels due to increased aromatase activity – Obesity increases aromatase activity, converting testosterone into estrogen.
A. Reduced conversion of testosterone to estrogen: The opposite is true; obesity increases conversion.
B. Elevated gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH): Obesity doesn’t typically elevate GnRH.
D. Increased luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion: LH levels often remain unchanged or decrease in obesity.
Chronic stress disrupts reproductive hormones by increasing which hormone?
A. Estrogen
B. Cortisol
C. Melatonin
D. Progesterone
**Answer: B. Cortisol
**
Correct Answer: B. Cortisol – Chronic stress elevates cortisol, disrupting the HPG axis and reproductive hormones.
A. Estrogen: Stress doesn’t directly increase estrogen levels.
C. Melatonin: Melatonin regulates sleep and isn’t related to stress-induced hormonal disruption.
D. Progesterone: Chronic stress tends to reduce progesterone levels, not increase them.
What maternal condition is associated with an increased risk of preterm labor and preeclampsia?
A. Maternal obesity
B. Vitamin K deficiency
C. High folate levels
D. Excessive vitamin D intake
Answer: A. Maternal obesity
Rationale:
A. Maternal obesity: Correct. Maternal obesity increases inflammatory responses and is associated with preterm labor and preeclampsia.
B. Vitamin K deficiency: Incorrect. While this increases the risk of postpartum hemorrhage, it is not directly linked to preterm labor or preeclampsia.
C. High folate levels: Incorrect. Although high folate levels are linked to insulin resistance, they are not associated with preterm labor or preeclampsia.
D. Excessive vitamin D intake: Incorrect. High intake of vitamin D does not have a documented association with preterm labor or preeclampsia.
Which condition may result from maternal iodine deficiency during pregnancy?
A. Neural tube defects
B. Cognitive impairments in the child
C. Respiratory distress syndrome
D. Visual impairment
Answer: B. Cognitive impairments in the child
Rationale:
A. Neural tube defects: Incorrect. Iodine deficiency is not related to NTDs; folic acid is crucial for preventing these.
B. Cognitive impairments in the child: Correct. Iodine deficiency is known to impair cognitive function and development.
C. Respiratory distress syndrome: Incorrect. This condition is typically associated with preterm delivery or LBW rather than iodine deficiency.
D. Visual impairment: Incorrect. Visual development is more closely linked to deficiencies in Vitamin A or DHA.
How does body weight impact fertility in underweight women?
A. Increases progesterone production
B. Enhances ovarian reserve
C. Reduces gonadotropin levels
D. Increases endometrial receptivity
**Answer: C. Reduces gonadotropin levels
**
Correct Answer: C. Reduces gonadotropin levels – Low body weight disrupts GnRH secretion, reducing FSH and LH levels.
A. Increases progesterone production: Low body weight is often associated with lower progesterone.
B. Enhances ovarian reserve: Being underweight may decrease ovarian reserve.
D. Increases endometrial receptivity: Low body weight often reduces endometrial receptivity.
What is a key mechanism by which environmental toxins such as BPA impair fertility?
A. Inducing oxidative stress
B. Enhancing melatonin production
C. Mimicking or blocking natural hormones
D. Increasing testosterone levels
**Answer: C. Mimicking or blocking natural hormones
**
Correct Answer: C. Mimicking or blocking natural hormones – BPA acts as an endocrine disruptor, mimicking or blocking hormone activity.
A. Inducing oxidative stress: BPA does cause oxidative stress, but hormone disruption is the main mechanism.
B. Enhancing melatonin production: BPA doesn’t increase melatonin.
D. Increasing testosterone levels: BPA primarily disrupts estrogen, not testosterone.
Which of the following maternal factors can lead to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)?
A. Chronic hypertension
B. Excessive vitamin B6 intake
C. Elevated calcium levels
D. High protein diet
Answer: A. Chronic hypertension
Rationale:
A. Chronic hypertension: Correct. Chronic hypertension is a significant maternal factor contributing to IUGR.
B. Excessive vitamin B6 intake: Incorrect. Excessive intake of vitamin B6 is not linked to IUGR.
C. Elevated calcium levels: Incorrect. Calcium is essential for fetal development, and elevated levels are not known to cause IUGR.
D. High protein diet: Incorrect. While extremely high protein levels can elevate cortisol, they are not a primary cause of IUGR.
Why are omega-3 fatty acids beneficial for fertility?
A. They increase insulin resistance.
B. They enhance oocyte quality and reduce inflammation.
C. They mimic natural reproductive hormones.
D. They suppress gonadotropin secretion.
**Answer: B. They enhance oocyte quality and reduce inflammation.
**
Correct Answer: B. They enhance oocyte quality and reduce inflammation – Omega-3s improve egg quality and reduce systemic inflammation.
A. They increase insulin resistance: Omega-3s improve, not impair, insulin sensitivity.
C. They mimic natural reproductive hormones: Omega-3s don’t mimic hormones.
D. They suppress gonadotropin secretion: Omega-3s don’t suppress gonadotropins.
Which nutrient deficiency is most likely to impair fetal motor development?
A. Copper
B. Vitamin K
C. Zinc
D. Vitamin C
Answer: C. Zinc
Rationale:
A. Copper: Incorrect. Copper is associated with cognitive function and anemia but not specifically motor development.
B. Vitamin K: Incorrect. While crucial for bone health and clotting, Vitamin K does not directly impact motor development.
C. Zinc: Correct. Zinc deficiency is directly linked to attention, motor development delays, and brain growth.
D. Vitamin C: Incorrect. Vitamin C supports collagen synthesis and immune function but does not specifically affect motor development.
What is the recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin D during pregnancy?
A. 400 IU
B. 600-800 IU
C. 2000 IU
D. 4000 IU
Answer: B. 600-800 IU
Rationale:
A. 400 IU: Incorrect. This amount is below the recommended levels for pregnancy.
B. 600-800 IU: Correct. This is the standard recommended range for vitamin D intake during pregnancy.
C. 2000 IU: Incorrect. This is within the safe upper limits but exceeds the RDI.
D. 4000 IU: Incorrect. Although considered safe, this represents the upper limit and not the RDI. Be sure to consider individuala levels when prescribing.
- Deficiency: more common in dark-skinned and veiled women, and those living in latitudes where sun exposure is low. Severe vitamin D deficiency is associated with congenital rickets, newborn fractures and it may manifest as seizures.
Which of the following is the primary recommendation for optimizing maternal nutrition during pregnancy?
A. Focus primarily on increasing caloric intake
B. Increase intake of protein during the first half of pregnancy
C. Increase the intake of complex carbohydrates and fiber
D. Avoid all forms of fats during pregnancy
Answer: C. Increase the intake of complex carbohydrates and fiber
Rationale:
A. Incorrect. While caloric intake increases, the emphasis is on increasing nutrient intake rather than just calories.
B. Incorrect. Protein intake is important but the RDA for protein remains the same in the first half as in non-pregnant women.
C. Correct. Increasing complex carbohydrates from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, along with adequate fiber, helps manage blood sugar levels and prevent constipation.
D. Incorrect. Fats, especially omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, are important during pregnancy for fetal development.
Which of the following is a recommended guideline for caffeine consumption during pregnancy?
A. No more than 500 mg/day
B. Limit to less than 200 mg/day
C. Consume caffeine freely but avoid energy drinks
D. Completely avoid caffeine during the first trimester
Answer: B. Limit to less than 200 mg/day
Rationale:
A. Incorrect. More than 200 mg/day is associated with negative outcomes like low birth weight and miscarriage.
B. Correct. Research recommends limiting caffeine intake to less than 200 mg per day, roughly equivalent to one 12-ounce cup of coffee.
C. Incorrect. Energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine and other stimulants, which are not recommended during pregnancy.
D. Incorrect. Although caffeine is best minimized, there is no requirement to eliminate it entirely during the first trimester, as long as intake is within the recommended limits.