Columbia University
Oocytes need a lot of energy to complete meiosis and fertilize successfully. As women get older, the "power plants" of the cells (called mitochondria) don't work as well. This makes it harder for eggs and embryos to develop normally. One possible way to help is with a gentle light treatment called photobiomodulation (PBM). This uses a special type of red light that boosts energy production in cells and helps them stay healthy. This study will test whether adding this light treatment during in vitro fertilization (IVF) can improve embryo growth and pregnancy outcomes.
Embryo development is highly energy-dependent, and impaired mitochondrial function is a well-established hallmark of reproductive aging. As women age, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulate and cause mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage, leading to reduced oxidative phosphorylation, ATP (Adenosine 5'-triphosphate) depletion, and developmental arrest of embryos. Enhancing mitochondrial function represents a promising strategy to improve embryo quality, particularly in women of advanced maternal age. Photobiomodulation (PBM), also known as low-level light therapy (LLLT), involves the application…
Inclusion Criteria: * Female age between 18-48 years at the time of the IVF/ICSI cycle * Undergoing blastocyst culture * Using own oocytes * Has at least two oocytes available for randomization * Consenting to oocyte level randomization * Plan to transfer euploid embryo within 6 months Exclusion Criteria: * Use of donor oocytes or gestational carrier * Concurrent experimental laboratory inventions outside of protocol * Refusal of randomization or request for non-standard handling
Photobiomodulation (PBM): also known as low-level light therapy (LLLT), involves the application of low-intensity red or near-infrared (NIR) light to modulate mitochondrial activity.
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