Enhancing IVF or ICSI

Poor responses to ovarian hyperstimulation remains one of the main challenges in assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Fewer oocytes (eggs) at retrieval, lower oocyte quality are two primary issues facing women attempting ART treatments.

Common features present in women with poor ovarian response are advanced age and abnormal ovarian reserve tests such as elevated day 3 FSH, low AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) and reduced Antral Follicle Count (AFC) on ultrasound.

The physiology of poor ovarian response is not fully understood. Oxidative stress is one of the most investigated possible mechanisms. High levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the end products of oxygen metabolism, leads to damage to DNA which are similar to the age-related changes.

CoQ10 acts as an antioxidant by inhibiting fat and DNA oxidation, thus is capable of strengthening endogenous antioxidant systems within a cell and is well known in male fertility. Several animal studies have demonstrated that CoQ10 protects ovarian reserve and counteracts ovarian aging.

“CoQ10 counteracts ovarian aging”

In a 2018 study, younger women (less than  35 years) with low AMH and AFC were given CoQ10 for 60 days preceding an IVF or ICSI cycle. 200 mg of CoQ10 was given three times a day. 93 women were in the study group and 93 were in the control group.

The number of retrieved eggs was significantly higher after CoQ10 pre-treatment (4 eggs), than in controls (2 eggs) - indicating a better response to ovarian stimulation. Furthermore, the fertilization rate was significantly higher in women treated with CoQ10 than in controls (67% vs 45%) and the CoQ10 group had higher quality embryos.

CoQ10 is a readily available, low cost intervention with an amazing history of safe use and is practically side effect free. CoQ10 has be studied in many conditions ranging from high blood pressure, to MS. We commonly suggest the use of CoQ10 for both female and male fertility. The results of this study demonstrate that it can easily impact the effectiveness of ART techniques such as IVF or ICSI.

- Dr Muradov

Reference: (2018) Pretreatment with coenzyme Q10 improves ovarian response and embryo quality in low-prognosis young women with decreased ovarian reserve: a randomized controlled trial.