The Effect of Co Enzyme Q10 Together With Fertility Drugs on Pregnancy Outcome of in Vitro Fertilization

The goal of our research is to increase live birth rates in infertile women and to reduce the incidence of aneuploidy leading to miscarriage and trisomies. We hypothesize that an age related mitochondrial dysfunction reduces the availability of energy in the oocyte and contributes to abnormal segregation of chromosomes during the meiotic division leading to oocyte aneuploidy. Based on preliminary evidence we have obtained in aged mice, we propose that dietary supplementation with Co enzyme Q10 in older women will improve mitochondrial function in the oocytes, leading to a decrease in chromosomal non-disjunction and resulting in embryos with a normal chromosomal complement. Our primary outcome measure will be determination of oocyte chromosome number by multiplex PCR based assay of polar bodies biopsied at the time of IVF. Outcomes of this proposal will enable us to address the mechanisms of ovarian aging and may explain etiology of decreased fertility in older patients. In addition, our work will add to the feasibility of single embryo transfer, thereby avoiding multiple pregnancies and their associated cost to the health care system and to society.