The Mediterranean Diet, characterized by high consumption of plant-based foods, olive oil, moderate intake of fish and poultry, and low consumption of red meat and processed foods, has been suggested to improve assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes. This narrative review aimed to summarize and synthesize the evidence from observational studies on the associations between preconception adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and ART outcomes. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases were searched to identify relevant studies. Seven observational studies (n = 2321 women undergoing ART) were included. Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet was assessed using food frequency questionnaires with 6–195 items. Three studies found that higher Mediterranean Diet scores were associated with improved clinical pregnancy rates (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.0–1.9; RR 1.98, 95% CI 1.05–3.78) or live birth rates (RR 2.64, 95% CI 1.37–5.07). Two studies showed a positive effect on embryo yield (p = 0.028) and ovarian response. However, two studies reported no significant associations with ultimate ART success, and four studies found no effects on oocyte and embryo number or quality. The heterogeneity in study designs, Mediterranean Diet assessment methods, and ART protocols limited the strength of conclusions. Evidence for the effects of greater adherence to the Mediterranean Diet on ART outcomes is limited but promising. Future research should focus on conducting randomized controlled trials with standardized Mediterranean Diet assessment methods to establish causal relationships between Mediterranean Diet adherence and ART outcomes, and to elucidate potential mechanisms of action.

Preeclampsia affects 2–8% of pregnancies globally and remains a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity, with limited preventive options beyond low-dose aspirin. Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) has emerged as a promising therapeutic candidate due to its pleiotropic effects extending beyond anticoagulation, including anti-inflammatory, pro-angiogenic, and placental-protective properties. This comprehensive narrative review examines LMWH’s effects on preeclampsia-associated biomarkers and evaluates clinical evidence for its preventive efficacy. LMWH exerts multifaceted effects on disease pathophysiology, including restoration of angiogenic balance through sFlt-1 reduction and PlGF preservation, attenuation of inflammatory responses via decreased TNF-α and IL-6 production, normalization of coagulation parameters, and enhancement of trophoblast invasion and placental vascularization. Clinical trials reveal heterogeneous results, with meta-analyses suggesting significant benefit primarily in high-risk subgroups. Women with previous severe placenta-mediated complications demonstrate relative risk reductions of 40–60% for recurrent preeclampsia with LMWH prophylaxis, particularly when initiated before 16 weeks’ gestation. Combination therapy with low-dose aspirin appears to enhance protective effects. However, larger trials in unselected populations have failed to demonstrate significant benefit, highlighting the importance of appropriate patient selection. Current international guidelines reflect this evidence heterogeneity, with most recommending against routine LMWH use while acknowledging potential benefit in selected high-risk populations, particularly those with antiphospholipid syndrome or previous severe early-onset disease. Future research should focus on biomarker-guided patient selection, optimal dosing regimens, and integration with multimodal preventive strategies to maximize therapeutic benefit while minimizing unnecessary interventions.

The Mediterranean Diet, characterized by high intake of plant foods and unsaturated fats, has been suggested to improve assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes. This literature review aimed to summarize the evidence from observational studies on the associations between preconception Mediterranean Diet and ART outcomes. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases were searched to identify relevant studies. Seven observational studies (n=2,321 women on ART) were included. Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet was assessed by food frequency questionnaires with 6-195 items. Three studies found that higher Mediterranean Diet scores improved Clinical Pregnancy or Live Birth rates, while two studies showed a positive effect on ART eggs and embryos. However, two studies reported no significant associations with ultimate ART success, and four studies found no effects on oocyte and embryo number or quality. Evidence for the effects of greater adherence to the Mediterranean Diet on ART outcomes is limited but promising. Additional rigorous research is needed to clarify and weigh the degree of association between the Mediterranean Diet and ART success.

Introduction: Maternal stress during pregnancy has been increasingly recognized as a significant factor influencing fetal development, with potential long-term effects on neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring. Understanding the mechanisms and implications of prenatal stress exposure is crucial for informing preventative and interventional strategies in perinatal care. Content: This narrative review synthesizes findings from epidemiological, neurobiological, and clinical research on the long-term consequences of prenatal maternal stress. It explores a broad spectrum of stressors – including psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and acute traumatic events such as natural disasters – and their associations with cognitive, behavioral, and emotional outcomes in offspring from infancy through adolescence. Key biological mechanisms are discussed, including alterations in the maternal-placental-fetal axis, HPA axis dysregulation, placental gene expression changes, epigenetic modifications, and neuroinflammatory responses. Neuroimaging and biomarker studies are highlighted to provide evidence for stress-related changes in brain structure and function. Summary: Current literature supports a robust association between maternal stress during pregnancy and a heightened risk of neurodevelopmental challenges in children. These include deficits in executive function, increased anxiety and depressive symptoms, emotional dysregulation, and susceptibility to psychiatric disorders. The effects appear to be moderated by timing of exposure, genetic predispositions, and the postnatal environment. Outlook: While the evidence base is growing, methodological limitations such as variability in stress assessment and inconsistent follow-up durations persist. Future research should emphasize longitudinal, biomarker-informed designs and evaluate interventions aimed at reducing prenatal stress. Integrating maternal mental health support into routine prenatal care may offer a promising pathway to improving both maternal and child outcomes.

Background/Objectives: Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interfere with hormonal homeostasis and have been implicated in gynecological malignancy pathogenesis. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence regarding EDC exposure and breast, endometrial, ovarian, and cervical cancers, examining molecular mechanisms, epidemiology, and diagnostic and clinical implications. Methods: We conducted a literature review using PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane databases through April 2026, including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, prospective cohorts, case-control studies, and mechanistic investigations examining EDC-cancer associations. Methodological quality was appraised using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and AMSTAR-2, with overall certainty of evidence rated using the GRADE framework. Results: Major EDC classes—bisphenol compounds, phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—demonstrate carcinogenic potential through estrogen receptor modulation, epigenetic alterations, oxidative stress, and oncogenic signaling disruption. Breast cancer shows the strongest evidence, with prenatal and early-life DDT/DDE exposure associated with up to a 3.7-fold increased risk. Endometrial cancer demonstrates associations with xenoestrogen mixtures exhibiting non-monotonic dose-responses, whereas ovarian and cervical cancers show emerging but limited associations. Common mechanisms include receptor crosstalk, epigenetic dysregulation with transgenerational effects, oxidative genomic instability, metabolic reprogramming, and cancer stem cell enrichment. Conclusions: Evidence supports EDC contributions to gynecological malignancy through convergent pathways, though causal inference remains constrained by observational epidemiology, long latency periods, and challenges in characterizing real-world mixture exposures. Diagnostic and prevention strategies should integrate EDC exposure into risk-prediction models, leverage multi-omics biomarkers for early detection, and emphasize exposure reduction during critical developmental windows alongside regulatory reform.

Introduction: Preeclampsia, affecting 2–5% of pregnancies globally, represents a significant challenge in maternal-fetal medicine with substantial morbidity and mortality. Anti-inflammatory dietary patterns, particularly the Mediterranean diet, may ameliorate preeclampsia risk through modulation of inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress, and vascular function. Current findings regarding diet and preeclampsia prevention exhibit considerable variability. We conducted a comprehensive review to evaluate the association between the Mediterranean diet and other anti-inflammatory dietary patterns with preeclampsia risk.Methods: We performed a systematic literature search across multiple databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science from September 2024 to March 2025. Studies examining Mediterranean Diet or related anti-inflammatory dietary patterns in relation to preeclampsia prevention were included. We extracted data on study design, population characteristics, intervention details, and outcomes related to preeclampsia or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.Results: Our analysis included 12 studies (5 observational studies, 7 randomized controlled trials) with diverse geographical representation. Observational studies demonstrated significant protective associations between higher Mediterranean diet adherence and reduced preeclampsia risk, with effect sizes ranging from 22 to 69% risk reduction. Among the RCTs, two reported statistically significant reductions in hypertension/preeclampsia, while four showed protective trends that did not reach statistical significance. Notable dietary components included extra virgin olive oil and nuts, with variable intervention timing across studies.Discussion: The findings suggest that Mediterranean diet adherence may reduce preeclampsia risk through multiple complementary pathways: reducing inflammatory markers, alleviating oxidative stress, enhancing endothelial function, balancing angiogenic factors, and improving metabolic parameters. Despite methodological limitations, the Mediterranean diet represents a promising non-pharmacological approach to preeclampsia prevention. Future research should address methodological heterogeneity, expand studies to diverse populations, and elucidate optimal timing and specific components of dietary interventions.