Melatonin as a new drug for improving oocyte quality

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Infertility Research
• Oocyte Quality Enhancement

Background:

• Poor oocyte quality remains a significant cause of infertility, despite advances in assisted reproductive technologies.
• Inadequate embryo development stemming from poor oocyte quality contributes to treatment failures in infertile couples.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of melatonin as a therapeutic agent for enhancing oocyte quality in women experiencing infertility.
• To evaluate the impact of melatonin supplementation on oocyte maturation and fertilization rates.

Main Methods:

• A prospective clinical study involving 27 women with a history of failed pregnancies due to poor embryo development.
• Participants received either 1 mg or 3 mg of oral melatonin daily from the follicular phase until human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection.
• Key parameters including mature follicles, retrieved oocytes, degenerate oocytes, and fertilized embryos were compared to a control cycle without melatonin.

Main Results:

• Oral melatonin administration, particularly at 3 mg, significantly increased intrafollicular melatonin concentrations.
• A 3 mg dose of melatonin showed a trend towards reduced intrafollicular lipid peroxide levels.
• The 3 mg melatonin group experienced a significant decrease in the number of degenerate oocytes and a tendency towards increased fertilized embryos.
• Three participants in the melatonin group achieved clinical pregnancy.

Conclusions:

• Melatonin supplementation appears to be a promising strategy for improving oocyte quality in women with infertility linked to oocyte factors.
• The 3 mg dosage of melatonin demonstrated beneficial effects on oocyte quality and fertilization potential.
• Melatonin may become a valuable therapeutic option for improving pregnancy outcomes in specific infertility cases.