Artificial oocyte activation (AOA) with Calcium ionophore (Ca-I) application has been shown to improve fertilization rates in patients with poor reproductive outcomes and fertilization failure; however, the effect of Ca-I on embryomorphokinetic parameters remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of AOA with Ca-I application on embryomorphokinetic parameters and clinical pregnancy outcomes. In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 412 cycles were involved and participants were classified into two groups as intracytoplasmic sperm injection ICSI + AOA (n = 225) and ICSI (n = 187). There were no significant differences between groups in terms of baseline parameters. When the duration from 2PN to tB (time to blastulation) was examined, t2, t3, t4, or t5 times were not significantly different between the groups; however, Ca ionophore application was found to extend time to start of blastulation (tsB) time and tB (p < 0.05). Optimal time-lapse parameters (t5, cc2, S2, and t5–t2) also did not differ between the two groups, and there were no significant differences in embryo grades determined by optimal time-lapse parameters. According to the fertilization and pregnancy results, no significant differences were found between the groups. In conclusion, Ca ionophore application does not seem to affect most embryomorphokinetic parameters except blastulation time, and the clinical importance of this finding needs further research.

Trafficking Protein Particle Complex Subunit 4 (TRAPPC4) is essential for protein transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus. It plays a crucial role in tethering COPII vesicles and assembling SNARE complexes, ensuring precise protein delivery, which is vital for cellular communication and growth. Mutations in TRAPPC4 and other TRAPP subunits are associated with a group of human diseases collectively known as TRAPPopathies, often manifesting as neurological disorders. This study investigates the role of TRAPPC4 during early embryonic development by analysing the phenotypic consequences when the gene is knocked out in the mouse. Our results show that TRAPPC4 knockout leads to early embryonic lethality, where TRAPPC4 homozygous mutant embryos form morphologically normal blastocysts but fail to implant in the uterus and are not present at embryonic day 7.5. We show that mutant embryos can hatch from the zona pellucida, but do not form proper inner cell mass (ICM) outgrowths. Unlike the tightly compressed ICM colonies in control littermates, the mutant ICM appears necrotic with cells that are not adherent. This dispersion suggests that ICM cells may begin deteriorating at peri-implantation stages, underscoring TRAPPC4’s pivotal role in maintaining cellular viability during early embryonic development.

The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition of Lippia sidoides essential oil (LSEO) and the influence of different concentrations of LSEO on activation and survival of primordial follicles, ovarian stromal cell density, collagen area in the extracellular matrix (ECM), as well as on thiol levels, messenger RNA (mRNA) of CAT, SOD1, GPX1 and PRDX6 and activity of antioxidant enzymes CAT, SOD1 and GPX1. To this end, the chemical composition of the oil was analysed using the gas chromatography (GC) method. The bovine ovaries were collected from a local slaughterhouse. In the laboratory, fragments of the ovarian cortex were then cultured in control medium alone or in the presence of 400, 800, 1600 and 3200 µg/mL LSEO. After six days of culture, the tissues were fixed and sent for histological analysis. Other fragments were used in molecular tests to determine the redox profile and to quantify mRNA levels. The results showed that a concentration of 400 μg/mL LSEO promoted follicular activation and growth, as well as increased stromal cell density and the mRNA levels of SOD1, CAT, and GPX1. Additionally, the LSEO at all tested concentrations reduced CAT activity in cultured bovine ovarian tissues.

Manipulation of the zona pellucida, including laser-assisted hatching (LAH), has been associated with an increased risk of monozygotic multiple pregnancy (MMP). A leading hypothesis suggests that embryonic splitting could be triggered by the division of the inner cell mass as the blastocyst herniates through the zona pellucida. The present study aimed to investigate whether the size of the zona pellucida opening created by LAH influences the prevalence of MMP in frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer (SBT) cycles. This retrospective observational study included 9452 pregnancies resulting from frozen-thawed SBT, of 13,271 clinical pregnancies between January 2020 and October 2024. MMP was defined as the presence of ≥2 gestational sacs and/or ≥2 fetuses after SBT. Between January and May 2021, the LAH opening size was enlarged from 30° to 90°. Prevalence of MMP was compared between 30° and 90° zona openings. Among the 9452 pregnancies analysed, 175 (1.85%) were MMP cases, including 169 twin and 6 triplet pregnancies. No significant differences in maternal age, fertilization method, blastocyst grade, culture duration or embryo biopsy rate were observed between singleton and MMP cases. In univariate analysis, a small zona opening was associated with an increased risk of MMP (odds ratio [OR] 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–2.29, p = 0.047); however, this association was not significant after adjustment for confounders (OR 1.47, 95% CI 0.98–2.22, p = 0.06). A small zona pellucida opening created by LAH showed a trend towards an increased risk of MMP and warrants further investigation.

Infertility is found in approximately 15% of couples all over the world and male factors alone are responsible for approximately 50% of infertility. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on sperm mobility, morphology and reactive oxygen species (ROS) content and to assess its bioaccessibility in selected dietary sources relevant to human nutrition. The bioaccessibility of CoQ10 in several food samples was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Based on these bioaccessible concentrations, the effects of CoQ10 (10, 50 and 100 µM) on sperm motility and morphology were evaluated in infertile patients. To evaluate the cellular response to CoQ10, MTT assay was employed for cytotoxicity assessment, while flow cytometry was utilized to quantify intracellular ROS production. In vitro gastrointestinal digestion analysis confirmed the high bioaccessibility of CoQ10, with the 50 µM concentration identified as the optimal dose for therapeutic application. This concentration exhibited superior biocompatibility in L929 cells, maintaining high cell viability without cytotoxic effects. Treatment with 50 µM CoQ10 significantly improved both total and progressive sperm motility compared to the control group. Moreover, the 50 µM CoQ10 significantly reduced intracellular ROS levels, which was associated with the preservation of sperm structural integrity by reducing acrosomal, nuclear and tail anomalies (p < 0.05). Our results suggested that dietary intake and supplementation of CoQ10-enriched foods may exert beneficial therapeutic effects on low sperm motility. While CoQ10 significantly improves sperm motility at optimal concentrations (50 µM), high doses may exert cytotoxic effects on cells.