Melatonin enhances the developmental potential of immature oocytes from older reproductive-aged women by improving mitochondrial function

AIMS: To evaluate whether melatonin (MT) supplementation during in vitro maturation (IVM) of human oocytes can reverse the age-related decline in oocyte quality. MAIN METHODS: We enrolled 172 patients aged ≥35 years (older reproductive-aged women) and 83 patients aged <35 years (young women) who underwent in vitro fertilization between 2019 and 2022. We conducted IVM with and without 10 μM MT in immature oocytes of different ages. Oocyte fertilization and embryo development were observed using a stereomicroscope. We assessed the immunofluorescence intensity of mitochondrial function, measured the copy number of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and examined the spindle and chromosome composition in in vitro mature stage II (IVM-MII) oocytes using immunofluorescence and second-generation sequencing. KEY FINDINGS: MT supplementation significantly improved the redox level in the IVM medium and IVM-MII oocytes in older reproductive-aged women. It also significantly increased the proportion of circular mtDNA and the adenosine triphosphate content in IVM-MII oocytes. In addition, the IVM-MII oocytes obtained with MT supplementation showed a significant improvement in the normal composition of the spindle and chromosomes. Thus, the aged immature oocytes also showed significantly improved maturation and blastocyst formation rates owing to the role of MT. SIGNIFICANCE: Supplementation with 10 μM MT in the IVM medium reverses the age-related decline in oocyte quality. Our findings provide a viable solution for enhancing fertility in older reproductive-aged women.