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

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