Why a woman’s age is important in the success of IVF treatment?
The difference lies in the biology of a woman’s eggs. Almost all the cells in our body are regenerated (produced) throughout our life. Unfortunately a woman is born with 2 million oocytes at the time of her birth. Oocytes do not regenerate in a woman’s body in contrast to males where sperm producing cells regenerate. Though this number is good enough for a fertile life span of about 20 to 25 years, the chromosomal integrity in such oocytes deteriorate as she ages. As the oocytes are kept in meiotic arrest from the time of her birth till she ovulates in a menses cycle, chromosomal errors accumulate in such eggs over a period of time and hence she keeps producing lesser and lesser quality eggs (chromosomally) as she ages. But her uterine ability to sustain and nurture a pregnancy is not lost. With suitable hormonal support she could be made to sustain a pregnancy and deliver a baby, if she is free from other medical problems. In males it is not so. Sperms are manufactured afresh daily at
