Published in:
01-04-2012 | Reproductive Medicine
Coenzyme Q10 content in follicular fluid and its relationship with oocyte fertilization and embryo grading
Authors:
Angelo Turi, Stefano Raffaele Giannubilo, Francesca Brugè, Federica Principi, Silvia Battistoni, Fabrizia Santoni, Andrea Luigi Tranquilli, GianPaolo Littarru, Luca Tiano
Published in:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics
|
Issue 4/2012
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Abstract
Background
No data are available on the presence and content of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in human follicular fluid and its role.
Objective
To assess the presence and concentration of CoQ10 in human follicular fluid in relation to oocyte fertilization.
Methods
CQ10 content was measured in follicular fluid obtained from 20 infertile women undergoing ovarian stimulation program for in vitro fertilization. CoQ10 levels were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography system and normalized for follicular cholesterol and protein levels. Oocyte morphology and embryo grading were assessed.
Results
CoQ10/Protein levels resulted significantly in mature versus dysmorphic oocytes. Similarly, CoQ10/Cholesterol was significantly higher in grading I–II versus grading III–IV embryos.
Conclusions
This study is the first demonstration of the presence of CoQ10 in the human follicular fluid. Although the biological and endocrine mechanism of CoQ10 in the follicular fluid and its correlation with oocyte and embryo development is unclear, a new step may be the administration of CoQ10 in infertile women to evaluate the biological and reproductive outcomes.