Effects of quercetin supplementation in aging mice on oocyte number, in vitro fertilization and embryo development outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of quercetin supplementation in aging mice on the oocyte number and in vitro fertilization outcomes. METHODS: Thirty-two to forty-week-old aging female mice were randomly assigned into two groups, with one receiving 0.2 mL water contains quercetin 30 mg/kg dissolve in DMSO orally via gavage for 21 consecutive days (n=38). The control group was given 0.2 mL of water containing DMSO without quercetin (n=37). In vitro fertilization was performed after exogenous ovarian stimulation. The outcome was oocyte number and quality, as indicated by oocyte fragmentation rate, fertilization rate, blastocyst formation rate, and blastocyst cell number. RESULTS: There was no difference in the number of retrieved oocytes per mouse (17.4±2.6 and 16.2±1.7, p=0.694), oocyte fragmentation rate (30.8% and 26.7%, p=0.108), fertilization rate (43.5% and 43.1%, p=0.877) and blastocyst formation rate (32.6% and 33.9%, p=0.635) in the quercetin group compared to the control group. Likewise, the mean numbers of cells in the ICM, TE, and total cell number in blastocysts from both groups were not different. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary quercetin supplementation did not improve either the quantity or quality of oocytes. Thus, quercetin supplementation did not improve IVF outcomes in aged mice. However, future studies should incorporate oxidative stress biomarkers to improve mechanistic understanding.