Melatonin to improve IVF outcomes

Melatonin has historically been used to effectively regulate sleep patterns. In recent research, it has been discovered that melatonin has important oxygen-scavenging properties. This translates into it’s ability to reduce oxidative stress, which can reduce cellular damage.

There is increasing attention towards the cellular damage that occurs to oocytes and embryos during assisted reproductive techniques (ART). During IVF, the ovarian stimulation protocols are associated with significant changes to the follicular fluid that surround the oocyte. More oxidative stress is seen during IVF procedures in the follicular fluid, which can modify the quality of oocytes and embryos, decreasing the success of the treatment.

It is interesting to note as well that there is an inverse relationship between follicular fluid levels of oxidative stress and success rates of ART, which do not seem to be related to the cause of infertility.

A recent study measured the amount of melatonin concentration in follicular fluid and it’s correlation with antral follicle count (AFC). AFC is one of the measures used to determine a women’s ovarian reserve. AFC tends to decline with age and can be correlated with lower success rates.

63 females, aged 20-40 years of age, were divided into three groups based on their AFC. Group A was AFC <6, group B was 7<AFC<14, and group C was AFC>15. On oocyte retrieval day, the melatonin concentration in the follicular fluid was recorded in all three groups. Higher melatonin levels were positively associated with AFC, number of retrieved oocytes, total fertilized oocytes, normally fertilized oocytes and number of high quality day 3 embryos.

This is one of the first studies that demonstrate a significant positive correlation of melatonin levels and the quantity and quality of oocytes, which can influence IVF outcomes.

In another study, pregnancy outcomes were evaluated after the administration of myo-inositol combined with with melatonin in women who failed to conceive in past IVF cycles due to poor oocyte quality. 4 grams of myo-inositol and 3mg/day of melatonin was used for 3 months prior to the IVF cycle.

Results showed that after treatment, the number of mature oocytes, the fertilization rate, the number of top quality embryos transferred were statistically significant. This resulted in 19% of women becoming pregnant.

Melatonin is a great adjunct treatment used to improve ovarian stimulation protocols.

In good health,

Dr. Kirti Deol