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Egg quality is one of the most critical factors for natural conception and the success of assisted reproductive treatments such as IVF. During each menstrual cycle, which occurs approximately every 28 days, several eggs begin to mature under hormonal stimulation. Among these, only one egg usually completes maturation and is released from the follicle into the fallopian tube during ovulation.
Although the female reproductive system supports egg maturation, it cannot produce new eggs. Women are born with a finite number of eggs, known as the ovarian reserve, which is closely associated with AMH levels. At birth, a female baby has approximately 2 million eggs. By puberty, this number decreases to around 400,000, and it continues to decline steadily with age.
Not only does the number of eggs decrease over time, but egg quality also deteriorates. While approximately 40% of eggs are genetically healthy at age 30, this rate drops to nearly 20% by age 40. As a result, both natural conception rates and IVF success rates decline significantly with advancing age.
Egg quality refers to the genetic and structural integrity of the oocyte, which directly affects fertilization, embryo development, implantation, and the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy.
High-quality eggs:
Poor-quality eggs are more likely to:
Egg quality is closely linked to ovarian reserve, but the two are not identical. A woman may still have eggs in her ovaries, yet those eggs may be genetically compromised.
Egg quality begins to decline gradually after the age of 30 and more rapidly after 35. By age 40, both the number of remaining eggs and the proportion of genetically normal eggs drop sharply. Natural pregnancy after age 45 is rare without assisted reproductive techniques.
For this reason, women who plan to delay pregnancy are often advised to consider egg freezing before ovarian reserve and egg quality decline further.
While age is the most important factor, several medical, genetic, and environmental factors can negatively affect egg quality.
Age-related egg aging leads to increased chromosomal abnormalities. A 20-year-old woman may have 80–90% healthy eggs, while a 40-year-old woman may have only 20% healthy eggs.
Endometriosis can damage ovarian tissue and reduce both egg quantity and quality, especially when ovarian cysts are present.
Smoking accelerates ovarian aging, increases DNA damage in eggs, and reduces IVF success rates. Excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption also negatively affect ovarian function.
Hormonal imbalances related to obesity and insulin resistance can disrupt ovulation and impair egg quality.
Cancer treatments may permanently damage ovarian follicles, leading to diminished egg quality and early ovarian failure.
Long-term stress negatively affects reproductive hormones and can impair both egg quality and implantation potential.
Antibiotics used under medical supervision do not harm egg quality. However, uncontrolled or unnecessary antibiotic use may disrupt vaginal flora, indirectly reducing fertilization and implantation success.
A healthy and balanced diet plays a supportive role in maintaining egg quality.
Recommended nutrients and foods include:
Some supplements such as DHEA, CoQ10, and royal jelly are sometimes recommended to support egg quality, but only under physician supervision and at appropriate doses.
There is no single test that directly measures egg quality. However, several clinical indicators provide indirect information:
Low AMH levels and reduced follicle count may suggest diminished ovarian reserve and lower egg quality.
Poor fertilization rates, low-quality embryos, or repeated implantation failure may indicate compromised egg quality.
Preimplantation genetic testing during IVF can detect chromosomal abnormalities in embryos. Since approximately 90% of chromosomal abnormalities originate from the egg, frequent abnormalities may indicate poor egg quality.
Recurrent miscarriages or prolonged infertility may also be associated with reduced egg quality.
The most common cause of poor egg quality is advanced maternal age. However, other contributing factors include:
As both egg quantity and quality decline, fertility potential decreases significantly.
Egg quality plays a decisive role in fertility, embryo development, and pregnancy outcomes. While aging is unavoidable, adopting a healthy lifestyle, avoiding harmful habits, managing stress, and seeking timely medical guidance can help preserve reproductive potential.
If you are experiencing difficulty conceiving or are concerned about your egg quality, early evaluation and individualized treatment planning are essential.
For personalized assessment and support, you may contact us at 444 39 49.
Age is the most important factor, followed by lifestyle habits, medical conditions, and environmental exposures.
Egg quality cannot be reversed, but a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition may help protect remaining eggs.
Chronic stress can disrupt hormonal balance and negatively affect egg quality and fertility.
Yes. Smoking accelerates ovarian aging and increases genetic damage in eggs.
Egg quality is assessed indirectly through hormone tests, IVF outcomes, embryo genetics, and pregnancy history.
Let us call you as soon as possible regarding the issues you want to consult.
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