Effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on post-vitrification mouse embryo development

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on post-vitrification embryo development and gross morphology. Methods: Balb/c mouse embryos were cultured in potassium simplex optimised medium (KSOM) with varying CoQ10 concentrations [0 (control), 20, 40, and 60 μΜ]. The most effective CoQ10 concentration (40 μM) was selected for subsequent post-vitrification morphology study. Embryos were randomly divided into four groups: Group A (non-vitrified without CoQ10), Group B (non-vitrified with CoQ10), Group C (vitrified without CoQ10), and Group D (vitrified with CoQ10), followed by vitrification at the 8-cell stage. Survival rates and development until the blastocyst stage were evaluated through morphological examinations using ASEBIR's system, distinguishing normal and abnormal embryos. Results: Supplementation of 40 μM CoQ10 significantly increased blastocyst formation (95%) compared to the control group (92%), 20 μM (62%), and 60 μM (56%) (P<0.001). Following vitrification, Group D exhibited a significant increase in blastocyst formation (92%) compared to Group C (82%) (P<0.05). Morphological assessments indicated superior embryo quality in Group B over Group D during the cleavage stage, morula, and blastocyst (P<0.05). Conclusions: CoQ10 supplementation exhibits promising potential to enhance preimplantation embryo development, increase blastocyst formation rates, and improve embryo quality post-vitrification. This offers a promising approach to mitigate oxidative stress on embryos, potentially improving overall assisted reproductive technology outcomes.