Stimulation of mitochondrial embryo metabolism by dichloroacetic acid in an aged mouse model improves embryo development and viability

This study demonstrates that the addition of DCA to embryo culture media improves mitochondrial output in embryos produced from aged mice. Although DCA itself may be of limited therapeutic value in a clinical setting due to its low threshold of dosage and high toxicity, this proof of concept study does suggest that the addition of a physiological-based mitochondrial stimulator to embryo culture media for aged women may potentially improve IVF outcomes.