Your Fern DNA Report

How it Works

Often, people don’t identify a roadblock to getting pregnant or carrying to term until problems occur — such as recurrent miscarriages or pregnancy complications. Your Fern DNA report offers individualized insights into your dietary and nutritional requirements to support a healthy path to parenthood.

Your Fern DNA Recommendations

Conception and pregnancy are influenced by multiple factors. These variables impact egg and sperm production, reproductive processes, and overall fertility. Fern DNA also evaluates genes associated with risk for lifestyle disease and pregnancy complications.

Below are just some of the genes that we look at to create your personalized diet, nutrient and supplement guide.

Order My Test

Genes That Impact Dietary Guidelines:

The genes TCF7L2 and LIPC influences risk for weight gain and obesity with a high-fat diet, which may reduce ovulation, fertility rates, egg reserve, and overall ovarian function due to increases in inflammation. In males, a high-fat diet can increase oxidative stress and sperm DNA fragmentation, impairing sperm function.

Genetic variations can impact risk for weight gain, obesity and insulin resistance in response to dietary fat intake. Excess saturated fat intake increases oxidative stress in the ovary, compromising egg maturation and has been linked with fewer oocytes retrieved during IVF. Excess saturated fat in the sperm is seen in those with low sperm count and motility.

Genetic variations interact with the dietary intake of carbohydrates and sugars to influence the risk of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Insulin resistance is linked to anovulation, lower egg quality, delay in embryonic development and recurrent pregnancy loss, along with low sperm count and increase in DNA fragmentation in males, which is linked with lower pregnancy rates.

The FTO gene influences pre-pregnancy weight gain and increases risk for pregnancy complications, like gestational diabetes. Excess weight in men can lower testosterone levels and reduce sperm quality. Ample protein stabilizes hormones that mediate our satiety, blood sugar and tendency for weight gain.

The HLA genes increase likelihood for Celiac Disease and non-Celiac gluten sensitivity, which if left undiagnosed leads to nutrient deficiency and increases likelihood for miscarriage, fertility challenges, and male infertility due to hormonal disruption.

The CYP1A2 gene affects how you metabolize caffeine. This determines how much you can consume safely during pregnancy without impacting your risk for pregnancy loss.

Genes That Impact Nutrient and Supplement Needs:

Genetic variations can impact levels of active folate and vitamin B12, important for repairing DNA, producing energy in the cell, essential for egg and sperm maturation.

The BCMO1 gene influences risk for low retinal levels, which is associated with reduced pregnancy rates during IVF and can reduce the time to conception. Low vitamin A reduces the ability for the testes to produce sperm.

The NBPF3 gene influences risk for vitamin B6 deficiency, which is important for mood, metabolism, estrogen and progesterone balance, libido, cervical mucus production, and reducing toxic homocysteine levels. In addition, B6 is important for protecting sperm against damage from homocysteine and maintaining proper hormone production.

The GSTT1 and SLC23A1 genes affect vitamin C levels. Optimal vitamin C levels are linked to an increase in mature eggs and IVF fertilization rates as well as healthy placental development. Vitamin C levels are high in seminal fluid, protecting the sperm from damage.

Genes influence risk for low vitamin D, which is common in endometriosis and PCOS, and is linked to autoimmunity, pregnancy loss, pregnancy complications and postpartum depression. Vitamin D supports sperm production, and when deficient, leads to poor semen quality.

Genes influence iron requirements. Low iron increases chances of anovulation, pregnancy loss, premature birth, low birth weight, and postpartum depression. In males, low iron can reduce sperm production.

The PEMT and FADS1 genes influence choline requirements. Choline is critical for fetal brain development and reducing pregnancy complications (preterm birth, preeclampsia). Choline is essential for sperm motility and liver function in men, and when low can lead to fatty liver which is linked to lower testosterone and sperm quality.

The FADS2 and IL6 genes influence omega 3 requirements and source. Low omega 3 levels are linked to metabolic syndrome and obesity, and are essential to regulate inflammation, clotting, egg and sperm development and function, and proper brain growth in the baby. Low omega 3 is common in men with OAT (low sperm motility and concentration)

Genes That Impact Other Fertility Factors

Fern DNA also looks at certain genetic risk factors that can increase the susceptibility to sperm DNA damage, decrease in fertility, and an increase in risk for pregnancy loss or complications, including:

Assigned Female at Birth

  • Endometriosis
  • Clotting disorder (thrombophilia)
  • Dysbiosis and recurrent infections
  • Genetic-based diseases (hemochromatosis)

Assigned Male at Birth

  • Environmental toxin sensitivity
  • Sperm DNA damage (oxidative stress)
  • Male infertility
  • Clotting disorder (thrombophilia)
  • Genetic-based diseases (hemochromatosis)

Take the Guesswork Away When TTC

Order Your Test Today

Canada Post is currently on strike, affecting mail deliveries. To avoid delays, please drop off your sample at DNA Labs (1920 Yonge St, Suite 200, Mon-Fri, 9 AM–5 PM) or use a courier like ATRIPCO. Questions? Email us!

Got it!
X
Scroll to Top