Ovarian reserve

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.

Overview

The concept of the "ovarian reserve" is based on the fact that the number of oocytes (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.

Assessment

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.

Factors affecting ovarian reserve

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.

See also

• Menopause
• Infertility
• Premature ovarian failure
• Antral follicle
• Anti-Müllerian hormone
• Follicle-stimulating hormone

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