Coenzyme Q10 improves the in vitro maturation of oocytes exposed to the intrafollicular environment of patients on fertility treatment

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the impact of patient follicular environment with oxidative stress on oocyte quality. Methods: Patients on fertility treatment with either advanced maternal age or endometriosis were asked to donate follicular fluid collected during ovum pick-up. Follicular fluid (FF) was added (20%, 10% and 5%; %V/V) to in vitro maturation (IVM) medium with mouse oocytes. Following maturation culture, the oocytes were assessed for meiosis reinitiation. In a second setup, coenzyme Q10 was added to culture medium with FF. In addition to assessing meiotic maturation, a subset of oocytes was assessed for spindle structure and chromosome alignment. Results: Supplementation of IVM medium with FF of patients of advanced maternal age (with or without antioxidants) did not have an effect on the maturation capacity of mouse oocytes. However, the addition of FF of individuals with endometriosis (without antioxidants) in the two highest concentrations affected oocyte maturation (61.5% & 57.0% maturation) compared with the lowest concentration (89.2% maturation) ( p <0.05). Supplementation of medium with coenzyme Q10 did not improve the maturation rate of oocytes exposed to the FF of individuals with endometriosis (28.5±13.7%) ( p <0.05). Nevertheless, preliminary analysis of spindle abnormality and chromosome alignment revealed that oocytes resuming meiosis in the presence of FF of patients with endometriosis displayed aberrant spindle morphology and chromosomal misalignment. Conclusion: The follicular environment of patients with endometriosis severely affected oocyte (nuclear) maturation. In vitro maturation in the presence of coenzyme Q10 appears to be a tool for rescuing oocytes exposed to such follicular environment.

Does Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation Improve Human Oocyte Quality?

“…Maside et al did not find any benefits in a porcine model [22]; however, Abdulhasan et al reported higher maturation rates and greater mitochondrial mass and function in immature bovine oocytes after 24 h in IVM medium supplemented with 40 µM of CoQ10 [23]. Moreover, immature mouse oocytes matured in vitro and co-cultured with FF from infertile women with endometriosis demonstrated a trend toward higher maturation rates after CoQ10 supplementation compared to the very low maturity reported in the control group as a result of the endometriotic environment [24].…”

The effect of antioxidants on increased oocyte competence in IVM: a review

“…The follicular environment of patients with endometriosis has a significant effect on oocyte (nuclear) development. IVM in the presence of CoQ10 appears to be a useful strategy to salvage oocytes in the follicular environment [62] . Heydarnejad et al [63] discovered that supplementing oocyte IVM medium with 30 μmol/L CoQ10 increased blastocyst formation and hatching rates; enhanced mitochondrial distribution, relative mass, and potential membrane; reduced ROS and glutathione levels; and decreased the percentage of oocytes with spindles and misaligned chromosomes.…”

Coenzyme Q10: Current Overview

“…The follicular environment of patients with endometriosis severely affects the maturation of oocytes. It is emphasized that in vitro maturation in the presence of coenzyme Q10 is important for the protection of oocytes exposed to such follicular environments (83). CoQ10 supplementation during in vitro maturation is said to increase oocyte maturation rates and reduce post-meiotic aneuploidies for older women (84).…”