thesisOxidant status may influence conception after in vitro fertilization, maternal health during pregnancy, and fetal outcomes including birthweight. However, few reports exist of oxidant status in women of childbearing potential. Oxidant status may be influenced by the intake of antioxidant vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. The purpose of this study was to examine the intake of antioxidant vitamins and minerals, measure biomarkers of oxidative stress, and evaluate the association between them. We conducted a cross-sectional study of dietary and supplement intake and measurements for biomarkers of oxidative status (malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and 8- isoprostane) in women of childbearing potential. Intake was measured using a food frequency questionnaire and an overall index of dietary quality was generated (the Healthy Eating Index-2005). Additionally, a new, integrated index of oxidant stress from dietary variables, the diet oxy-score, was calculated with intake for specific antioxidant vitamins and minerals. The total oxidant status from the biomarkers was created by integrating the measured values of MDA, GSH, GSH/GSSG ratio, and 8-isoprostane into one index. Oxidative status measured with biomarkers was correlated in a biologically plausible direction with the dietary index of oxidative status, the Healthy Eating Index- 2005, zinc, manganese, vitamin E, !-carotene, iron, and selenium. The observed correlations suggest that appropriate diet and supplementary zinc, manganese, vitamin E, B carotene, iron, and selenium intake may be an effective strategy for augmenting oxidantstatus in women of childbearing potential
