Impact of Non-Nutritive Sweetener Intake on Pregnancy Status( I )

The human fertility rate has decreased dramatically in recent times. The impact of consumption of sugar and non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) beverages and foods on female fertility is an important topic of concern. This project will be planned to explore the impact of NNS intake on women's pregnancy and preterm delivery, and it is planned to conduct clinical assessment surveys, cell model and animal model studies in three years. The first year plan is based on the “Taipei Maternal Infant Nutrition Cohort: TMINC”, based on a complete diet analysis and NNS frequency questionnaire, to analyze the effects of NNS on prolonged pregnancy waiting, infertility and preterm delivery. In order to further explore the possible mechanism of NNS impacts, it is planned to conduct research in cell model and animal model in the second and third years, respectively. The cell model focuses on granulosa cell lines, embryonic trophoblast cell lines, and uterus endometrial cell lines, and evaluates the effects of NNS on oocyte maturation, embryo development, and implantation. The innovative trophoblast/endometrial cell adhesion model will be used to assess embryo implantation capacity. The effects of NNS on pregnancy status, oocytes, embryos, and uterus will be assessed using NNS feeding and pregnant animal models. Our previous studies have presented that mitochondria have a critical effect on oocyte maturation, conception, and embryo development, and related studies also have pointed out that NNS may affect insulin sensitivity and oxidative stress. Both insulin resistance and oxidative stress may affect mitochondrial function and biogenesis and further affect oocytes, embryos and uterus. Therefore, in the cellular and animal model, five indicators will also be analyzed including: energy metabolism pathways and energy balance, mitochondrial function and biogenesis, mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity, and insulin resistance and signaling pathway. These analysis will provide information to understand the possible mechanism of NNS on women's pregnancy and premature delivery.