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.

Keywords

Coenzyme Q10 / Antioxidant / Embryo development / Vitrification / Morphology / Assisted reproductive technology

Conflict of interest statement

There was no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia for providing financial support under Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) [FRGS/1/2020/SKK06/UNIKL/02/1], and we wish to thank the Institute of Medical Molecular Biotechnology (IMMB), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Selangor Branch for providing technical supports for this study. We further thank the Laboratory Animal Care Unit (LACU) staff for providing animal care and maintenance.

Funding

This study was supported by the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) [FRGS/1/2020/SKK06/UNIKL/02/1], from the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia.

Authors’ contributions

Funding for this study was provided by Wan-Hafizah WJ. Anisa-Annur S and Wan-Hafizah WJ contributed to the study's conception and design, conducted literature searches, and drafted the initial manuscript. Anisa-Annur S, Wan-Hafizah WJ, Nor-Ashikin MNK, and Muhammad-Zaki R were responsible for data analysis and interpretation, as well as contributing to manuscript drafting. Anisa-Annur S took the lead in writing the manuscript. Wan-Hafizah WJ, Nor-Ashikin MNK, and Muhammad-Zaki R participated in article screening and provided critical revisions to the manuscript. Wan-Hafizah WJ finalized and approved the manuscript. All authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript.

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