Ovarian reserve: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 11:52, 15 February 2025

Overview of ovarian reserve in reproductive biology

Ovarian Reserve[edit]

The Wallace-Kelsey model illustrating the decline of ovarian reserve with age.

The term ovarian reserve refers to the capacity of the ovaries to provide egg cells that are capable of fertilization resulting in a healthy and successful pregnancy. It is a critical concept in reproductive medicine and fertility studies.

Physiology[edit]

Ovarian reserve is determined by the number and quality of follicles present in the ovaries at any given time. Women are born with a finite number of primordial follicles, which decline in number and quality as they age. This decline is depicted in the Wallace-Kelsey model, which shows a gradual decrease in ovarian reserve over time.

Assessment[edit]

The assessment of ovarian reserve is crucial for evaluating a woman's reproductive potential. Common methods include measuring serum levels of AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone), FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone), and performing an antral follicle count via ultrasound.

Factors Affecting Ovarian Reserve[edit]

Several factors can influence ovarian reserve, including:

Age: The most significant factor, with a natural decline in both the quantity and quality of oocytes as a woman ages.
Genetic factors: Certain genetic conditions can affect ovarian reserve, such as Turner syndrome and Fragile X syndrome.
Medical treatments: Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can significantly reduce ovarian reserve.
Lifestyle factors: Smoking and obesity have been associated with reduced ovarian reserve.

Clinical Implications[edit]

Understanding ovarian reserve is essential for diagnosing and treating infertility. Women with diminished ovarian reserve may have difficulty conceiving and may require assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). It also plays a role in determining the timing of menopause.

Related pages[edit]

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-'''Ovarian reserve''' is a term that is used in [[reproductive medicine]] to refer to the capacity of the [[ovary]] to provide [[egg cells]] that are capable of [[fertilization]] resulting in a healthy and successful [[pregnancy]].
+{{Short description|Overview of ovarian reserve in reproductive biology}}
-== Overview ==
+==Ovarian Reserve==
-The concept of the "ovarian reserve" is based on the fact that the number of [[oocyte]]s (immature egg cells) in the female body is at its lifetime maximum before the female is born, decreases over the lifespan, and reaches zero at [[menopause]]. This is different from men, who produce new sperm throughout their lives. The number of oocytes at birth is estimated to be around 1-2 million, but drops to around 300,000-500,000 by the time of [[puberty]]. Of these, only about 300-500 will be ovulated during a woman's reproductive lifetime. Fertility can drop as a woman ages due to a decrease in the number and quality of the remaining eggs.
+[[File:WallaceKelseyModel.jpg|thumb|right|The Wallace-Kelsey model illustrating the decline of ovarian reserve with age.]]
+The term '''ovarian reserve''' refers to the capacity of the [[ovary|ovaries]] to provide [[oocyte|egg cells]] that are capable of fertilization resulting in a healthy and successful pregnancy. It is a critical concept in [[reproductive medicine]] and [[fertility]] studies.
-== Assessment ==
+===Physiology===
-The ovarian reserve can be assessed with several methods, including [[antral follicle count]] (AFC), [[anti-Müllerian hormone]] (AMH) level, and [[follicle-stimulating hormone]] (FSH) level on day 3 of the menstrual cycle. These tests are used to predict how the ovaries will respond to fertility medication, and can help in the management of [[infertility]].
+Ovarian reserve is determined by the number and quality of [[follicle (anatomy)|follicles]] present in the ovaries at any given time. Women are born with a finite number of [[primordial follicles]], which decline in number and quality as they age. This decline is depicted in the Wallace-Kelsey model, which shows a gradual decrease in ovarian reserve over time.
-== Factors affecting ovarian reserve ==
+===Assessment===
-Several factors can affect the ovarian reserve, including age, [[genetic disorders]], [[autoimmune diseases]], [[chemotherapy]], and [[radiotherapy]]. Some of these factors can cause a decrease in the ovarian reserve, leading to [[premature ovarian failure]].
+The assessment of ovarian reserve is crucial for evaluating a woman's reproductive potential. Common methods include measuring serum levels of [[Anti-Müllerian hormone|AMH]] (Anti-Müllerian Hormone), [[follicle-stimulating hormone|FSH]] (Follicle Stimulating Hormone), and performing an [[antral follicle count]] via [[ultrasound]].
-== See also ==
+===Factors Affecting Ovarian Reserve===
+Several factors can influence ovarian reserve, including:
+* '''Age''': The most significant factor, with a natural decline in both the quantity and quality of oocytes as a woman ages.
+* '''Genetic factors''': Certain genetic conditions can affect ovarian reserve, such as [[Turner syndrome]] and [[Fragile X syndrome]].
+* '''Medical treatments''': Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can significantly reduce ovarian reserve.
+* '''Lifestyle factors''': Smoking and obesity have been associated with reduced ovarian reserve.
+===Clinical Implications===
+Understanding ovarian reserve is essential for diagnosing and treating infertility. Women with diminished ovarian reserve may have difficulty conceiving and may require [[assisted reproductive technology]] (ART) such as [[in vitro fertilization]] (IVF). It also plays a role in determining the timing of [[menopause]].
+==Related pages==
 * [[Menopause]]
-* [[Infertility]]
+* [[In vitro fertilization]]
-* [[Premature ovarian failure]]
+* [[Reproductive endocrinology]]
-* [[Antral follicle]]
+* [[Fertility preservation]]
-* [[Anti-Müllerian hormone]]
-* [[Follicle-stimulating hormone]]
 [[Category:Reproductive system]]
 [[Category:Gynecology]]
-[[Category:Obstetrics]]
+[[Category:Human reproduction]]
-[[Category:Women's health]]
-[[Category:Human female endocrine system]]
-{{stub}}