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Coenzyme Q10 content in follicular fluid and its relationship with oocyte fertilization and embryo grading

  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

No data are available on the presence and content of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in human follicular fluid and its role.

Objective

To assess the presence and concentration of CoQ10 in human follicular fluid in relation to oocyte fertilization.

Methods

CQ10 content was measured in follicular fluid obtained from 20 infertile women undergoing ovarian stimulation program for in vitro fertilization. CoQ10 levels were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography system and normalized for follicular cholesterol and protein levels. Oocyte morphology and embryo grading were assessed.

Results

CoQ10/Protein levels resulted significantly in mature versus dysmorphic oocytes. Similarly, CoQ10/Cholesterol was significantly higher in grading I–II versus grading III–IV embryos.

Conclusions

This study is the first demonstration of the presence of CoQ10 in the human follicular fluid. Although the biological and endocrine mechanism of CoQ10 in the follicular fluid and its correlation with oocyte and embryo development is unclear, a new step may be the administration of CoQ10 in infertile women to evaluate the biological and reproductive outcomes.

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Abbreviations

CoQ10:

Coenzyme Q10

IVF–ET:

In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

SOD:

Superoxide dismutase

SeGPX:

Glutathione peroxidase

QH2 :

Ubiquinol

HPLC:

High-performance liquid chromatography system

ECD:

Electrochemical detector

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by internal funds of the Marche Polytechnic University research grant.

Conflict of interest

All authors declare any financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could influence their work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Sciences, Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology at “G. Salesi” Hospital, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via F. Corridoni 11, 60123, Ancona, Italy

    Angelo Turi, Stefano Raffaele Giannubilo, Silvia Battistoni, Fabrizia Santoni & Andrea Luigi Tranquilli

  2. Department of Biochemistry Biology and Genetics, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy

    Francesca Brugè, Federica Principi, GianPaolo Littarru & Luca Tiano

Authors
  1. Angelo Turi
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  2. Stefano Raffaele Giannubilo
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  3. Francesca Brugè
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  4. Federica Principi
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  5. Silvia Battistoni
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  6. Fabrizia Santoni
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  7. Andrea Luigi Tranquilli
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  8. GianPaolo Littarru
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  9. Luca Tiano
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stefano Raffaele Giannubilo.

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Turi, A., Giannubilo, S.R., Brugè, F. et al. Coenzyme Q10 content in follicular fluid and its relationship with oocyte fertilization and embryo grading. Arch Gynecol Obstet 285, 1173–1176 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-011-2169-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-011-2169-2

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