CoQ10, egg health & fertility outcomes
CoQ10 is a powerful coenzyme that is an essential part of our mitochondria (which are the energy centres of our cells). It is also a powerful antioxidant that prevents DNA damage and oxidation in cells.
CoQ10 has been shown to counteract physiological ovarian ageing by restoring mitochondrial function in oocytes (eggs).
Studies have shown that CoQ10 protects ovarian reserve by restoring the function of the mitochondria in our oocytes (egg cells). Mitochondrial dysfunction in our oocytes (egg cells) has been shown to reduce egg quality, reduce ovarian reserve, and abnormal fertilisation.
Supplementation of CoQ10 can be beneficial in settings of assisted reproductive techniques (ART), especially in women over the age of 35, as it has shown to reduce aneuploidy and improve ovulation induction. Studies have also shown that women taking CoQ10 had a higher number of oocytes upon egg retrieval following stimulation, higher fertilisation rates, and increased number of fertilised eggs.
Women with PCOS have also been shown to have an improved ovarian response and increased pregnancy rate following treatment with CoQ10 alongside clomiphene citrate, in comparison to clomiphene on its own.
Interestingly, in rodents, supplementation of CoQ10 showed an increase in ovarian reserve and Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) levels, and decreased the amount of atretic follicles.
If you’re thinking of trying for a baby, or have been trying and unsuccessful for some time, it might be worth trying supplementing with CoQ10. It takes approximately three months for an egg to develop into a pre-ovulatory follicle; therefore commencing pre-conception care a minimum of three months before conception is crucial to support fertility outcomes.
References:
Florou P, Anagnostis P, Theocharis P, Chourdakis M, Goulis DG. Does coenzyme Q10 supplementation improve fertility outcomes in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology procedures? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2020 Oct;37(10):2377-2387. doi: 10.1007/s10815-020-01906-3. Epub 2020 Aug 7. PMID: 32767206; PMCID: PMC7550497.
El Refaeey A, Selem A, Badawy A. Combined coenzyme Q10 and clomiphene citrate for ovulation induction in clomiphene-citrate-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome. Reprod Biomed Online. 2014 Jul;29(1):119-24. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2014.03.011. Epub 2014 Mar 26. PMID: 24813752.
Xu Y, Nisenblat V, Lu C, Li R, Qiao J, Zhen X, Wang S. Pretreatment with coenzyme Q10 improves ovarian response and embryo quality in low-prognosis young women with decreased ovarian reserve: a randomized controlled trial. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2018 Mar 27;16(1):29. doi: 10.1186/s12958-018-0343-0. PMID: 29587861; PMCID: PMC5870379.