Pregnancy rates for women over 35 years old are significantly lower when compared to younger women. One of the causes for this decrease is believed to be chromosomal aneuploidy. Chromosomal aneuploidy is a natural phenomena and occurs in women of every age and has been implicated in spontaneous miscarriages, and preimplantation embryo wastage (Hassold and Hunt, 2001). As maternal age increases, so too does the incidence of chromosomal aneuploidy. Embryo quality from older patients undergoing IVF tends to be reduced and associated with higher rates of chromosomal abnormalities when compared to good quality embryos (Munne et al., 1995). Chromosomal aneuploidy derives from the improper segregation of chromosomes during preimplantation development. The process of segregation, or mitosis, includes synthesis of the complete genome, equal division of chromosomes to opposite poles by the spindle apparatus, and separation of the two cells by cytokinesis, yielding two chromosomally identical cells. The entire process of cellular and genetic replication requires energy in the form of adenosine tri phosphate (ATP). ATP is mainly produced in mitochondria in the process known as the electron transport chain (ETC). There are many important molecules required for ATP production, CoQ10 can act as the appropriate carrier of electrons through the ETC. When a deficiency in CoQ10 is present, ATP production is decreased resulting in aneuploidy (Bentov et al., 2013). Similarly, research has shown that chromosome alignment and spindle formation are affected by mtDNA copy number (Ge et al., 2012). It has also been shown that the transfer of ooplasm from young, healthy oocyte donors into oocytes of women with repeated embryonic failure has result in children with subsequent mitochondrial heteroplasmy (Cohen et al., 1998). CoQ10 concentrations have been shown to decrease as age increases (Bentov et al., 2011). Consequently, the decrease in CoQ10 concentrations seen in older women may cause an increase in chromosomal aneuploidy in subsequent embryos (Bentov et al., 2013). In this pilot study, we test the hypothesis that the supplementation of CoQ10 prior to an IVF cycle can increase mitochondrial DNA activity and possibly decrease chromosomal aneuploidy in AMA patients.
Age range
36 Years – 42 Years
Sex
FEMALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Embryo mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
Timeframe: mtDNA levels will be assesed from day 5 or day 6 blastocysts