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6 Factors That Affect Ovum Quality

IVF 25/02/2025 0 3 menit

Written by Team Content Medis Bocah Indonesia

The ovum, or egg cell, plays a crucial role in a woman’s reproductive system. Ovarian health significantly impacts the quality of the ovum, which is vital for conception.

For women undergoing a pregnancy program (promil), maintaining overall health is essential, especially ovarian health. Healthy ovaries contribute to producing high-quality ova, which is critical for successful fertilization and a healthy pregnancy.

The quality of the ovum affects the chances of conception, whether naturally or through in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Several factors influence ovum quality, ranging from daily lifestyle choices to underlying health conditions. Learn more about these factors below!

What is an Ovum?

For those unfamiliar, the ovum, or egg cell, is a fundamental component of the reproductive process. In terms of its anatomy, the ovum consists of several key parts that play crucial roles in reproduction.

🔹 Nucleus: The nucleus holds the genetic material inherited from the mother. During fertilization, this genetic material merges with the father’s sperm DNA, marking the beginning of embryo formation.

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🔹 Cytoplasm: Surrounding the nucleus is the cytoplasm, which contains organelles and nutrients essential for early embryonic development. This part functions as a “workspace” for cellular activities after fertilization.

🔹 Zona Pellucida: This protective layer around the ovum ensures that only a single sperm cell can penetrate and fertilize the egg. If multiple sperm enter simultaneously, it can disrupt fertilization and cause genetic abnormalities.

The ovum is produced in the ovaries. Each month, the ovaries release an egg through ovulation, a process occurring during the menstrual cycle. If fertilization does not occur, the ovum is shed and expelled during menstruation.

Ovum-Related Issues and Their Impact on IVF

Unfortunately, not all ova are in perfect condition. Several issues can affect egg quality and fertility, potentially reducing the chances of conception. Let’s explore some of these problems:

1. Declining Ovum Quality

One of the most common challenges is decreased ovum quality due to aging. As a woman grows older, the quality and quantity of her eggs naturally decline, impacting fertilization success and embryo development.

If the ovum has poor quality, it may struggle to be fertilized by sperm. Even if fertilization occurs, a low-quality ovum may result in an embryo that fails to develop properly. This increases the risk of miscarriage or genetic abnormalities, which can significantly impact the success of IVF treatments.

2. Ovulation Disorders

Ovulation disorders prevent the ovum from being released properly from the ovaries. Some common conditions include:
✅ Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
✅ Hormonal imbalances
✅ Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation)
✅ Perimenopause (the transition phase before menopause)

Ovulation disorders can occur at any age and may significantly hinder conception.

In IVF procedures, doctors typically stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. However, if a woman has PCOS or hormonal imbalances, the ovaries may not respond effectively to stimulation medications, leading to a lower quantity or poor-quality ova for fertilization.

3. Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, often affecting the ovaries and fallopian tubes. This can lead to ovarian cyst formation, which may damage egg quality.

Besides causing chronic pelvic pain and irregular menstruation, endometriosis can reduce fertility by impairing the ovarian environment.

For women undergoing IVF, ovarian cysts from endometriosis can damage ovum quality, decreasing the likelihood of producing healthy embryos. Additionally, endometriosis may affect uterine conditions, making embryo implantation more difficult after embryo transfer.

4. Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can develop inside or on the ovaries. Their size and type vary, and some may affect ovum production and release.

🔹 Large cysts can compress ovarian tissue, impairing ovum function.
🔹 Some cysts may rupture, causing complications that disrupt fertility.
🔹 Ovarian cysts can interfere with egg retrieval procedures in IVF.

If ovarian cysts block access to the ovaries, it may complicate the retrieval process and reduce the number of viable eggs available for fertilization.

5. Ovum Damage

Sometimes, an ovum that has been fertilized may still experience damage during early development. This can lead to blighted ovum, or anembryonic pregnancy, where the gestational sac forms, but no embryo develops.

Ovum damage can occur due to poor egg quality, chromosomal abnormalities, or environmental factors.

🔹 In natural conception, this condition often results in an early miscarriage.
🔹 In IVF, a damaged ovum may fail to form a viable embryo, even if successfully retrieved and fertilized.

If ovum quality is poor, the resulting embryo may struggle to survive, leading to implantation failure or miscarriage.

6. Genetic Issues

In some cases, the ovum may have genetic mutations that affect embryo formation. If a fertilized egg carries genetic abnormalities, the embryo’s development may be disrupted.

Some potential outcomes include:
✅ Failed implantation – The embryo does not successfully attach to the uterus.
✅ Miscarriage – The pregnancy does not progress due to chromosomal defects.
✅ Congenital abnormalities – The baby may be at risk for genetic disorders.

In IVF treatments, genetic testing (PGT – Preimplantation Genetic Testing) is often performed to screen for genetic abnormalities and improve the chances of a healthy pregnancy.

Conclusion: The Importance of Ovum Health

Understanding these ovum-related challenges helps couples take proactive steps to enhance fertility. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing stress, and undergoing medical evaluations can significantly improve ovum quality and increase pregnancy success rates.

For those undergoing IVF, regular consultations with fertility specialists can optimize treatment outcomes and ensure the best possible conditions for conception.

If you suspect any ovum-related issues, seek medical advice to explore appropriate treatment options and enhance your reproductive health.

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