A recent study highlights a significant connection between the Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) and infertility in women, with waist circumference (WC) acting as a crucial mediator in this relationship. The AIP, a newly established metric for assessing lipid-related metabolic disturbances, has previously been associated with various metabolic disorders. Prior studies have also shown links between WC and infertility, as well as between WC and AIP levels. However, no research has explored the direct relationship between AIP and infertility, particularly considering the potential role of WC.
The study, involving 1,322 women from the 2013-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), aimed to investigate this connection. Of these participants, 159 were identified as infertile, while 1,163 were classified as controls. The analysis revealed a clear trend: women with infertility had significantly higher WC and AIP values. Notably, after adjusting for confounding factors, the AIP still independently correlated with an increased likelihood of infertility. Further subgroup analysis revealed that AIP was associated with infertility even in women under 35, with no history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), pelvic infections, or use of hormonal treatments.
The study also highlighted WC’s substantial role as a mediator in the relationship between AIP and infertility, accounting for 54.49% of the observed association. While other insulin resistance (IR) indicators, such as HOMA-IR and WC, showed similar predictive capabilities, WC emerged as a key factor in the relationship.
These findings underscore the importance of managing abdominal obesity and monitoring AIP levels in efforts to reduce the risk of infertility. The study provides valuable insights into how WC can mediate the link between AIP and infertility, contributing to more targeted approaches in women’s health.
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