The quality of the egg plays a crucial role in its ability to be fertilized, develop into a high-quality blastocyst, and result in a live birth. Many women wonder how they can improve their egg quality to enhance their chances of pregnancy, especially when undergoing IVF or ICSI treatments.
1. What Makes a Healthy Egg?
A healthy egg has a complete set of chromosomes (a euploid cell), which is essential for its normal function and development. It should be capable of being fertilized, developing into a high-quality embryo, and successfully implanting in the uterus.
2. How Is Egg Quality Assessed?
Unlike embryos, there is no direct method to assess the quality of eggs. In IVF treatments, the shape of the egg can be examined under a microscope, but this does not reveal genetic abnormalities.
The best method for evaluation is Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) of embryos, where the quality of sperm also plays a role.
3. How Does an Egg Develop?
Eggs develop within small sacs called follicles in the ovaries. As a follicle grows, the egg inside it matures. The follicle goes through several stages of development, and when fully mature, the egg is released during ovulation.
Most eggs are in a state of readiness for meiosis, where the chromosome number is halved. This step is crucial for the egg to be fertilized and to ensure the correct chromosome number for the embryo's future development.
For this maturation process, eggs require a lot of energy provided by the mitochondria. Mitochondria are the "powerhouses" of the cell, generating the energy needed for cellular functions. Eggs are born with mitochondria ready to perform their role. Over time, both the eggs and the mitochondria can age and accumulate small errors in their DNA. These errors, known as mitochondrial dysfunction, can lead to insufficient energy production. This can disrupt cell division and result in the egg having an incorrect number of chromosomes, potentially leading to genetic issues such as Down syndrome (Trisomy 21), Klinefelter syndrome, Turner syndrome, or other chromosomal disorders.
These age-related changes and mutations can occur naturally or be influenced by lifestyle factors.
What Influences Egg Quality?
The often age-related decline in egg quality is likely associated with decreased mitochondrial function in the eggs and increased oxidative stress within the cell.
How Can I Improve Egg Quality?
Ubiquinol for Egg Maturation
Mitochondria play a crucial role in the maturation of eggs. Coenzyme Q10 is an essential component of these mitochondria and supports their function. Adequate levels of Coenzyme Q10 can help improve energy production in mitochondria, especially when natural levels decline due to aging or stress. Additionally, Coenzyme Q10 acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage.
Studies have shown that the concentration of Coenzyme Q10 in follicular fluid decreases with age. Low levels of Coenzyme Q10 may be associated with chromosomal abnormalities in eggs. A 2018 study indicated that Coenzyme Q10 supplementation improves ovarian response to stimulation and can enhance embryo quality in women under 35 years with low ovarian reserve.
It is crucial to use the bioavailable form of Coenzyme Q10 known as Ubiquinol. Ubiquinol is more effective than Ubiquinone in energy production as it directly participates in the electron transport chain in mitochondria. This form of Coenzyme Q10 is biologically active and can immediately provide energy. In contrast, Ubiquinone must first be converted into Ubiquinol before it can fulfill its function.
Antioxidants and Micronutrients for Cellular Health
Cell division, especially in eggs, is a complex process influenced by many factors, including oxidative stress. Antioxidants such as Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Selenium, and NAC can help reduce oxidative stress and thus minimize cellular damage.
Antioxidants can also increase the thickness of the uterine lining, which is crucial for the successful implantation of the embryo. For women with conditions like PCOS or endometriosis, antioxidants have improved the course of the disease.
Other Factors Influencing Egg Quality
Alcohol
Women who consume 84 grams of alcohol weekly have a 7% lower chance of becoming pregnant after IVF/ICSI treatment. For men consuming the same amount, the chance of a live birth decreases by 9%.
Healthy Sleep
Studies have shown that women with high sleep quality have better fertilization rates compared to women with poor sleep quality. Women who slept less than 7 hours per night had about 11.5% fewer mature eggs identified.
Endocrine Disruptors
Hormone-disrupting substances, or endocrine disruptors, are chemicals that impair egg quality by disturbing hormonal balance in the body. Examples of endocrine disruptors include certain pesticides and industrial chemicals like Bisphenol A (BPA).
Improving Egg Quality with Ubiquinol (Coenzyme Q10) and Micronutrients
Egg quality is crucial for a successful pregnancy. Supporting mitochondria with Coenzyme Q10 in the form of Ubiquinol can be beneficial, as it optimizes cellular energy production. Antioxidants like Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Selenium, and NAC are also important because they reduce oxidative stress and can improve the thickness of the uterine lining. Additionally, avoiding excessive alcohol, ensuring good sleep quality, and minimizing exposure to hormone-disrupting substances can help protect egg quality and increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.
FAQ:
Does freezing eggs lead to lower egg quality?
A study of over 30,000 eggs collected over 10 years by Melbourne IVF shows that freezing and later thawing eggs results in survival rates of 92%, with fertilization rates around 65%. This fertilization rate is comparable to that of fresh eggs.
Does Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) measure egg quality?
Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) is a useful marker for assessing ovarian reserve but does not directly measure egg quality. Instead, AMH levels provide insight into egg reserve, or the number of follicles in the ovaries. Normal AMH levels typically range between 0.7 and 3.5 ng/ml. Levels below 0.7 ng/ml indicate reduced ovarian reserve, which can affect fertility but does not necessarily impact egg quality.
Can Cordyceps improve egg quality?
Although Cordyceps is valued in traditional medicine for its potential health benefits, current scientific studies do not provide clear evidence of a positive impact on human fertility. Most research focuses on animal models, and there is a lack of definitive data to translate these findings to humans.
References
- Rodríguez-Varela C, Labarta E. Does Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation Improve Human Oocyte Quality? Int J Mol Sci. 2021
- Bentov Y, Hannam T, Jurisicova A, Esfandiari N, Casper RF. Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation and Oocyte Aneuploidy in Women Undergoing IVF-ICSI Treatment. Clin Med Insights Reprod Health. 2014
- Langsjoen PH, Langsjoen AM. Comparison study of plasma coenzyme Q10 levels in healthy subjects supplemented with ubiquinol versus ubiquinone. Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev. 2014
- Vašková, J.; Klepcová, Z.; Špaková, I.; Urdzík, P.; Štofilová, J.; Bertková, I.; Kľoc, M.; Rabajdová, M. The Importance of Natural Antioxidants in Female Reproduction. Antioxidants 2023,
