Restoring de novo coenzyme Q biosynthesis in Caenorhabditis elegans coq-3 mutants yields profound rescue compared to exogenous coenzyme Q supplementation

► Two C. elegans coq-3 null mutants lack coenzyme Q but have distinct phenotypes. ► One null coq-3 mutant shows limited fertility, while the other is sterile. ► Unlike clk-1 mutants, neither coq-3 mutant is rescued with dietary Q supplements. ► coq-3 mutants rescued for de novo Q synthesis are as fertile as wild-type worms. ► Augmenting de novo synthesis of Q is more effective than dietary therapies with Q.