6DT3DT: Trigger Gone & Thoughts on Co-Q10
Today was the first day that my HPTs showed absolutely nothing in the test area, meaning that my level of b-HCG is finally below the 20mIU threshold. So now the real testing can begin.
My beta is on June 1, thirteen days after transfer. A full week from today. It seems like a long wait. But I'm not stressed ... more curious and mildly annoyed that there's a wait involved. I was thinking of calling the clinic today and scheduling a WTF appointment for the day after my beta (just in case, so I don't have to wait yet another week or two for an appointment). I typically don't bother with WTF appointments and plough headfirst into my next cycle, but this time we've decided to do an MRI of my loins and reassess if I need another surgery to remove fibroids, endometriomas, scar tissue, and figure why my right ovary is constantly cramping. (Can ovaries cramp?)
Last night, while I was sitting at the dining table working on a last minute presentation for my manager (one of many), "D" came up behind me and started to rub my back and shoulders rather hard. I remembered my acupuncturist warning me that there were trigger points in the shoulder area that should be avoided when trying to get pregnant - I remembered this, but I didn't want to seem unthankful that he was doing something so thoughtful. However, within an hour, I noticed that my cramps dissipated to the point of being barely noticeable unless I strained to pay attention. Today, I barely noticed them at all...but on the train, they were back but only fleetingly. I'm sure it's the evil progesterone, but I can't help but note every twinge and cramp and wonder. I can't help but wonder if the acupuncturist was dead on with this one or if the cramps would have gone away on their own.
I've been thinking about all of the supplements that I take and am considering adding in Co-Q10 to my protocol. I've been wondering how much to take and found this reference on FertileThoughts:
[O-105] CO-ENZYME Q10 SUPPLEMENTATION IMPROVES OVARIAN RESPONSE AND MITOCHONDRIAL FUNCTION IN AGED MICE.
E. Burstein, A. Perumalsamy, Y. Bentov, N. Esfandiari, A. Jurisicova, R. F. Casper Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samuel Lunenfeld Institute of Research, Toronto, ON, Canada; Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, TCART, Toronto, ON, Canada
OBJECTIVE: Increased maternal age is accompanied by changes in metabolic activity of oocytes. As mitochondria are exclusively maternally inherited, alterations in their activity may severely compromise future embryo development. The objective was to compare the effects of maternal treatment with CoQ10, resveratrol or R-alpha lipoic acid (ALA), known mitochondrial nutrients, on MMP, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial DNA copy number in oocytes from aged ICR mice with placebo treated (aged control) or 10 week old (young control) mice.
DESIGN: Randomized placebo-controlled in-vivo study.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retired breeder (8 month old) ICR female mice (n = 40) were randomized to receive coQ10, resveratrol, R-ALA or vehicle alone via SC injections for the period of 18 weeks. Upon completion of treatment, mice were subjected to superovulation with gonadotropins, and oocytes were analyzed for mitochondrial membrane potential (JC1) and accumulation of ROS (H2DCFDA). The fluorescence of both dyes was analyzed using a deconvolution microscope and fluorescent signal was quantitated using the Delta Vision software (Silicon Graphics). Absolute mitochondrial DNA copy number was obtained by real-time PCR. All values were compared to oocytes obtained from young mice.
RESULTS: Compared to aged controls, CoQ10 treatment significantly increased the number of ovulated oocytes (11.7 vs. 19.2) while R-ALA and resveratrol had no significant effect. Oocyte MMP (JC1 red to green ratio) was reduced and ROS levels were significantly increased by coQ10 treatment to levels comparable to those detected in the young oocytes. These parameters were not affected by the treatment with resveratrol or R-ALA. In addition, mitochondrial DNA copy number was elevated in old mice, CoQ10 treated females oocytes had lower mitochondrial copy number albeit still significantly higher than those found in the young oocytes (p]0.05).<
CONCLUSIONS: CoQ10 supplementation appears to improve ovarian response and oocyte mitochondrial function in old mice. Supported by: CIHR Tuesday, October 20, 2009 5:00 PM Oral Presentation: The Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
A girl on the same post put up this comment about dosaging in humans:
One girl mentioned that she gets 300mg gel pills at Costco but I'm not seeing that any of their pills have rice bran oil (only soybean oil),. I bought a bottle of 90 - 100mg gels at Trader Joe's for $17 and change, but I guess if I need 8 a day, I'm going to run out quite fast. The 300mg pills at Costco are $27 for 75. So, about a month's worth.
My beta is on June 1, thirteen days after transfer. A full week from today. It seems like a long wait. But I'm not stressed ... more curious and mildly annoyed that there's a wait involved. I was thinking of calling the clinic today and scheduling a WTF appointment for the day after my beta (just in case, so I don't have to wait yet another week or two for an appointment). I typically don't bother with WTF appointments and plough headfirst into my next cycle, but this time we've decided to do an MRI of my loins and reassess if I need another surgery to remove fibroids, endometriomas, scar tissue, and figure why my right ovary is constantly cramping. (Can ovaries cramp?)
Last night, while I was sitting at the dining table working on a last minute presentation for my manager (one of many), "D" came up behind me and started to rub my back and shoulders rather hard. I remembered my acupuncturist warning me that there were trigger points in the shoulder area that should be avoided when trying to get pregnant - I remembered this, but I didn't want to seem unthankful that he was doing something so thoughtful. However, within an hour, I noticed that my cramps dissipated to the point of being barely noticeable unless I strained to pay attention. Today, I barely noticed them at all...but on the train, they were back but only fleetingly. I'm sure it's the evil progesterone, but I can't help but note every twinge and cramp and wonder. I can't help but wonder if the acupuncturist was dead on with this one or if the cramps would have gone away on their own.
I've been thinking about all of the supplements that I take and am considering adding in Co-Q10 to my protocol. I've been wondering how much to take and found this reference on FertileThoughts:
[O-105] CO-ENZYME Q10 SUPPLEMENTATION IMPROVES OVARIAN RESPONSE AND MITOCHONDRIAL FUNCTION IN AGED MICE.
E. Burstein, A. Perumalsamy, Y. Bentov, N. Esfandiari, A. Jurisicova, R. F. Casper Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samuel Lunenfeld Institute of Research, Toronto, ON, Canada; Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, TCART, Toronto, ON, Canada
OBJECTIVE: Increased maternal age is accompanied by changes in metabolic activity of oocytes. As mitochondria are exclusively maternally inherited, alterations in their activity may severely compromise future embryo development. The objective was to compare the effects of maternal treatment with CoQ10, resveratrol or R-alpha lipoic acid (ALA), known mitochondrial nutrients, on MMP, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial DNA copy number in oocytes from aged ICR mice with placebo treated (aged control) or 10 week old (young control) mice.
DESIGN: Randomized placebo-controlled in-vivo study.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retired breeder (8 month old) ICR female mice (n = 40) were randomized to receive coQ10, resveratrol, R-ALA or vehicle alone via SC injections for the period of 18 weeks. Upon completion of treatment, mice were subjected to superovulation with gonadotropins, and oocytes were analyzed for mitochondrial membrane potential (JC1) and accumulation of ROS (H2DCFDA). The fluorescence of both dyes was analyzed using a deconvolution microscope and fluorescent signal was quantitated using the Delta Vision software (Silicon Graphics). Absolute mitochondrial DNA copy number was obtained by real-time PCR. All values were compared to oocytes obtained from young mice.
RESULTS: Compared to aged controls, CoQ10 treatment significantly increased the number of ovulated oocytes (11.7 vs. 19.2) while R-ALA and resveratrol had no significant effect. Oocyte MMP (JC1 red to green ratio) was reduced and ROS levels were significantly increased by coQ10 treatment to levels comparable to those detected in the young oocytes. These parameters were not affected by the treatment with resveratrol or R-ALA. In addition, mitochondrial DNA copy number was elevated in old mice, CoQ10 treated females oocytes had lower mitochondrial copy number albeit still significantly higher than those found in the young oocytes (p]0.05).<
CONCLUSIONS: CoQ10 supplementation appears to improve ovarian response and oocyte mitochondrial function in old mice. Supported by: CIHR Tuesday, October 20, 2009 5:00 PM Oral Presentation: The Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
A girl on the same post put up this comment about dosaging in humans:
"I'm a Canadian and deal with both Dr. Bentov and Casper (co-authors of the study quoted). I have been told to take 800 mg/day in the morning. It is also important that it is in soft gel form. If you read the label it should say that rice bran oil is an ingredient. I hope this helps! it is supposed to improve egg quality and quantity!
One girl mentioned that she gets 300mg gel pills at Costco but I'm not seeing that any of their pills have rice bran oil (only soybean oil),. I bought a bottle of 90 - 100mg gels at Trader Joe's for $17 and change, but I guess if I need 8 a day, I'm going to run out quite fast. The 300mg pills at Costco are $27 for 75. So, about a month's worth.
Labels: IVF8, POAS, The Hell that IVF Is, Trigger
posted by linda at 8:07 PM
6 comments
