PQQ — also known as pyrroloquinoline quinone — has been one of the more talked-about fertility supplements for several years now.
I’ve been recommending it to clients for a long time and have watched its popularity grow steadily, particularly among women focused on egg quality. But what does the research actually say — and has anything changed?
What Is PQQ and Why Does It Matter for Fertility?
PQQ is a powerful antioxidant that does something most antioxidants can’t — it doesn’t just neutralize damaging free radicals, it actively stimulates the creation of new mitochondria within cells. This process is called mitochondrial biogenesis, and it’s central to why PQQ is so interesting from a fertility perspective.
Here’s why that matters: egg cells contain more mitochondria than almost any other cell in the human body. Mitochondria are the energy source that powers fertilization, cell division, and early embryo development. As women age, mitochondrial function in egg cells declines — and this is one of the primary reasons egg quality decreases with age. A supplement that supports and regenerates mitochondrial function is therefore directly relevant to fertility, particularly for women over 35 or those with diminished ovarian reserve.
What the Latest Research Is Showing
When I originally wrote about PQQ, I was honest about the limitations — most of the research was animal-based and the human fertility-specific data was thin. That picture has evolved.
Egg quality and oocyte maturation (2025) A study published in April 2025 found that PQQ supplementation during in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes significantly improved nuclear maturation, enhanced mitochondrial function, improved lipid metabolism, and led to higher rates of successful embryo development. The researchers found PQQ worked by reducing oxidative stress and supporting the energy pathways essential for healthy egg development.
Reducing oxidative stress in egg cells (2025) A separate 2025 study confirmed that PQQ at optimal concentrations significantly reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in maturing egg cells, lowered early cell death, boosted antioxidant gene expression, and improved blastocyst formation rates. Oxidative stress is one of the central causes of poor egg quality — particularly during IVF, where eggs are exposed to conditions that increase oxidative damage. PQQ directly addresses this.
Ovarian aging and advanced maternal age (2025) Perhaps the most significant recent development — a study published in Biology of Reproduction in February 2025 found that PQQ supplementation in aged mice effectively restored ovarian function and oocyte quality by balancing hormonal secretion, regulating the estrus cycle, and reducing ovarian fibrosis. For women of advanced maternal age, this line of research is particularly relevant.
Mitochondrial activity in embryos Earlier research published in Fertility and Sterility found that PQQ consistently increased mitochondrial activity in early-stage embryos — and that blastocysts from older females had higher hatching rates when PQQ was included. This suggests a potential benefit not just for egg quality but for early embryo development as well.
What about sperm? The research on PQQ and sperm quality has also expanded. Multiple recent studies have found that PQQ improves sperm motility, viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, and DNA integrity — primarily by reducing oxidative damage. Given that mitochondrial function is just as important for sperm as it is for eggs, this is relevant for couples dealing with male factor issues as well.
The Honest Picture
I want to be clear about where the science still stands. The majority of this research is animal-based — mice, pigs, rams. Human fertility-specific clinical trials on PQQ remain limited. What we have is a strong and growing body of mechanistic evidence that PQQ does exactly what we’d want it to do in reproductive cells — it reduces oxidative stress, supports mitochondrial function, and appears to improve the quality of both eggs and sperm in laboratory and animal settings.
The leap from animal research to human clinical outcomes is one we have to make carefully. But the mechanisms are well understood, PQQ is considered safe at recommended doses, and the theoretical basis for its use in fertility is sound. This is why practitioners like myself — and increasingly, medical fertility clinics — include it as part of a comprehensive supplement protocol.
How Much Should You Take?
The standard recommended dose remains 20mg per day. Look for BioPQQ specifically — this is the form used in most of the human research and is considered the most bioavailable version. Take it with food.
How Does PQQ Fit Into a Broader Fertility Plan?
PQQ works best as part of a comprehensive approach rather than a standalone supplement. In my practice I typically recommend it alongside CoQ10 (ubiquinol), NAC, and omega-3 fatty acids as part of an egg quality protocol — each working through complementary mechanisms to support mitochondrial health and reduce oxidative stress.
If you’re approaching an IVF cycle, dealing with diminished ovarian reserve, or simply want to do everything you can to optimize egg quality, PQQ is one of the supplements I consistently recommend. The research supports it and the safety profile is good.
Want Personalized Supplement Guidance?
The supplement recommendations I make are always tailored to the individual — your specific diagnosis, your timeline, and what you’re already taking. If you’d like to know exactly what I’d recommend for your situation, book an initial consultation here and you’ll receive a personalized supplement plan as part of your Health Summary within 24 hours.
Not in Toronto? Online consultations are available for clients across Canada and beyond.
— Drew
