#149 : Improved Embryo Quality of Infertile Women at Different Ages by Oral Administration of an Antioxidant Mixture

Background and Aims: Oxidative stress is known to affect oocyte/embryo quality. In the previous meeting of ASPIRE, an antioxidant mixture (AOM) developed by us was shown to improve oocyte/embryo quality. Since oxidative stress is related to aging of body, AOM may be able to support the oocyte/embryo quality of women at advanced ages. We therefore examined the effects of AOM administration on the oocyte/embryo quality of women at different ages.

Method: AOM supplement was given orally for at least one and half month (at most 7 months) to infertile women who had participated in at least one IVF/ICSI program and whose quality of embryos was poor or fair. After the supplementation period, oocyte-pickup was carried out, and either IVF or ICSI was subjected to the patients. Then, the data of oocyte maturity, fertilization, developmental capacity, and bioavailability of embryos (No. of embryos transferred and cryopreserved) were collected retrospectively.

Results: The effects of AOM on the embryo quality of women at different ages were compared (Age groups were: [Formula: see text] 30yr; 31 [Formula: see text] 35yr; 36 [Formula: see text] 40yr; 41yr[Formula: see text]). In all groups, oocyte retrieval and maturation rates were slightly increased. More evidently, the developmental capacity, especially blastocyst formation, was significantly improved by AOM in all groups ([Formula: see text] 30yr: 20.0% vs 63.6%; 31 [Formula: see text] 35yr; 30.8% vs 68.9%; 36 [Formula: see text] 40yr: 36.4% vs 60.8%; 41yr[Formula: see text]: 36.4% vs 52.9%). Accordingly, the number of embryos cryopreserved was markedly increased ([Formula: see text] 30yr: 0.3±0.6 vs 1.8±2.4; 31 [Formula: see text] 35yr; 0.7±0.9 vs 1.4±1.2; 36 [Formula: see text] 40yr: 0.6±0.8 vs 1.1±1.0; 41yr[Formula: see text]: 0.0±0.0 vs 0.6±0.9), indicating that embryo quality in all groups was improved.

Conclusion: Although it was more beneficial for younger women, AOM administration was very effective to improve oocyte/embryo quality in all age groups. Our present results strongly suggest that AOM can ameliorate age-dependent decrease of embryo quality.