title: Coenzyme Q10 content in follicular fluid and its relationship with oocyte fertilization and embryo grading.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology at "G. Salesi" Hospital, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via F. Corridoni 11, 60123 Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Turi
authors.forename: Stefano Raffaele
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Giannubilo
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brugè
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Principi
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Battistoni
authors.forename: Fabrizia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Santoni
authors.forename: Andrea Luigi
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Tranquilli
authors.forename: Gianpaolo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Littarru
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tiano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D014451:Ubiquinone; C024989:coenzyme Q10