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Egg quality 101: what every woman should know
Egg quality is how healthy and genetically normal an egg is.
A high-quality egg:
- Has correct number of chromosomes
- High potential to be fertilized
- Able to divide and form healthy embryo
An egg is deemed to have poor quality if:
- Fail to fertilize
- Stop developing at an early stage
- Result in miscarriage
- Result in genetic/chromosomal conditions
Egg quality is important because it has a pivotal role in:
** success of fertilization
** development of embryo
** higher rate of implantation
** healthier pregnancy outcomes
What is the biggest factor that affect egg quality?
Age, increasing age leads to higher proportion of eggs with chromosomal issues
Is there a test for egg quality?
Unfortunately, no.
There is no direct test for egg quality before attempting to fertilize it, but quality can be indirectly assessed as follows:
- Embryo development
- Genetic testing of embryos
- Previous fertility or IVF outcomes
Signs of poor egg quality include:
- Recurrent IVF failure
- Recurrent miscarriage
- Poor embryo development in the lab
- Advanced maternal age
Is there a way to improve egg quality?
Some habits help in supporting egg healthy, but they don’t guarantee high egg quality:
- Healthy diet
- Healthy weight
- Get good sleep
- Decrease stress level
- Stop smoking
- Avoid alcohol
- Take supplements like folic acid and vitamin D
What to do if egg quality is significantly reduced?
Egg donation can be considered in certain countries, but it is illegal in many countries and some societies consider it unethical.
Also, some religions prohibit it.
Religion and traditions should always be respected.
Dr Najeeb Layyous F.R.C.O.G
Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist
