Ubiquinol, an antioxidant with wide-ranging roles in the body, including the production of ATP in the mitochondria, is a critical nutrient in male and female fertility during productive years and with advancing age, a review published in Nutrients found.

The review, which was supported by Kaneka Ubiquinol, a supplier of a ubiquinol ingredient supported by more than 100 clinical studies, compiles emerging evidence linking oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and declining reproductive outcomes, with a particular focus on egg quality, sperm quality, and reproductive aging. Declines in the body’s ability to produce ubiquinol, a metabolite of CoQ10, are implicated in each of these phenomena.

The World Health Organization estimates that infertility affects one in six people, caused by oxidative stress as a result of aging, smoking, excessive alcohol intake, obesity, and other factors, such as exposure to toxins.

“Gametes and early embryos are among the most energy-dependent and oxidative stress-sensitive cells in human biology,” said author Emma J. Derbyshire, PhD, who acts as an independent consultant for Kaneka Nutrients Europe. “The review explains that ubiquinol plays a dual role in reproductive physiology, driving mitochondrial bioenergetics and providing potent antioxidant support at the cellular level. These functions are critical for egg quality; sperm motility, morphology, and density; oocyte competence; and early embryo development, which are key determinants of successful conception.”

There is an age-associated decline in endogenous ubiquinol production, eventually no longer meeting cellular requirements. Ubiquinol then “shifts from a non-essential to a potentially conditionally essential nutrient,” the researchers posit. The authors note the advantages of ubiquinol over CoQ10 in terms of bioavailability and efficacy, and the importance of timing and cellular efficiency for fertility considerations.

“The review provides a strong scientific rationale for fertility-focused formulations incorporating ubiquinol as a differentiated, evidence-backed ingredient,” said Filip Van hulle, general manager at Kaneka Nutrients Europe. “It also positions ubiquinol beyond general wellness and into targeted reproductive health solutions, for females and males.”

“For healthcare practitioners, the findings support the integration of ubiquinol into evidence-informed nutritional strategies addressing both male and female infertility, including populations affected by reproductive aging and fertility preservation considerations,” said Derbyshire.