Iodine status in infertile women undergoing ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) procedures

Background: iodine is an essential micronutrient for normal maternal fertility. Inadequate iodine intake can lead to thyroid dysfunction, potentially impairing fertility and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: this retrospective observational study evaluated the iodine nutritional status of women undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedures. Urinary Iodine Concentration (UIC) was measured to assess iodine status, and its potential associations with thyroid function – assessed via Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) - and ovarian reserve – measured using anti- Müllerian hormone (AMH) – were investigated. Results: a total of 62 women were recruited in the study. The median UIC was 101 μg/L. Among them, 54.8% had UIC values below 100 μg/L, indicating iodine insufficiency, while 45.2% had levels ≥100 μg/L, consistent with sufficient iodine intake. Further stratification revealed that 38.7% had UIC< 50 μg/L (severe deficiency), and 16.1% had mild deficiency (UIC 50–99 μg/L). No statistically significant differences was observed in age, BMI, AMH and TSH across iodine ststus groups. However, a consistent trend emerged: AMH levels progressively increased from the severely deficient to the sufficient group (Severe vs. Moderate: p = 0.426; Moderate vs. Sufficient: p = 0.710), suggesting a potential association between iodine sufficiency and better ovarian reserve. Conclusions: Iodine deficiency remains prevalent among women undergoing ART in Veneto, Italy, highlighting the need for a greater awareness of nutritional status. Although no statistically significant associations were found between iodine levels, thyroid function or ovarian reserve markers, the observed trends warrant further investigation in larger prospective studies