Alpha-Lipoic Acid Supplementation and IVF Outcomes in Women of Advanced Maternal Age

Female fertility declines with advancing age, largely because of deteriorating oocyte quality driven by mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress within the ovarian microenvironment. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a potent antioxidant that crosses cell and mitochondrial membranes, regenerates other antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione, coenzyme Q10), and supports mitochondrial respiratory chain activity and ATP production. This prospective study will enroll 60 infertile women aged 35-45 years undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Thirty participants will receive oral ALA 600 mg/day for two months before their IVF cycle, and thirty will proceed directly to IVF without supplementation. The study will compare oocyte and embryo quality, cumulus cell mitochondrial function and metabolic gene expression, and clinical pregnancy and live birth rates between the two groups.