From the time of birth to just prior to ovulation, all the eggs are "suspended in time". They began the process of chromosome duplication prior to birth and are now waiting for possible selection as the dominant egg. From this pool of eggs, one is selected every month. Once one egg is selected as the dominant egg for a particular menstrual cycle, the LH surge occurs and triggers completion of the duplication process. Now the egg can be fertilized.

The length of time the egg waits for selection as a dominant egg corresponds to the chronological age of the woman. During this waiting interval, the paired chromosomes are fragilely attached to each other and are very susceptible to injury. The longer the wait, the greater the chance of injury. Therefore, eggs from older women are more likely to have incurred an injury to the chromosomes. These injuries produce abnormal separation of the chromosomes, resulting in chromosomally abnormal embryos. These embryos are more likely to result in either no pregnancy, or a chromosomally abnormal pregnancy leading to a miscarriage. Some chromosomally abnormal pregnancies can lead to a live birth with defects such as Downs syndrome.  [ x ]

The batteries are analogs of tiny organelles called mitochondria, which are the energy producers of mammalian cells. As we grow older, the energy-producing capacity of the mitochondria decreases.  The egg is connected to the circulation prior to ovulation, and it is connected again after embryo implantation. But during the seven days between ovulation and implantation, the egg and the embryo which results from it are contained within the zona pellucida and are dependent on energy coming from the mitochondria which were in the egg at the moment of ovulation (no mitochondrial replication takes place until after implantation). The older egg usually looks normal at the time of ovulation and its initial fertilization and embryonic development remain normal. This is because its energy stores are still adequate. However, it soon runs out of batteries and stops dividing. Implantation is not achieved because the embryo stops dividing before it reaches the implantation stage.  [ x ]

For most laboratories currently using chemiluminescent assays, an FSH value above 10 mIU/ml is elevated and an Estradiol value above 70 pg/ml is elevated. An elevation of either one of these values bodes poorly for pregnancy chances. There is some monthly biological variation in these values, but it is believed that the strategy of trying to "pick a better month" for infertility treatment does not work.

When assessing chances of pregnancy based on a series of lab results, the most predictive value is the highest value (whether highest FSH or Estradiol value). While an elevated value indicates diminished ovarian reserve, a normal value indicates that one can expect age-appropriate fertility chances.

The CCCT test involves assessing FSH and Estradiol values on cycle day 3, then administering Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate 100 mg/day) from cycle days 5-9, and then reassessing the FSH value on day 10. All three blood test results must be in a normal range for the overall test result to be normal. Any abnormal value indicates an abnormal Clomid Challenge Test. The FSH value on cycle day 10 should be less than 10 mIU/ml, and if elevated indicates diminished ovarian reserve.   [ x ]

Studies have shown that oocyte growth and maturation are altered in women with endometriosis, resulting in lower quality embryos that have a decreased ability to implant in an already partially altered endometrium.  Low oocyte quality in women with endometriosis is reflected in ovulation defects, lower response to IVF, poor quality embryos, and lower implantation rates. When good quality oocytes are fertilized or when a higher number of embryos are transferred, implantation rates return to control values. [ x ]

No science just yet... [ x ]

No science just yet...  [ x ]

No science just yet...  [ x ]

A group led by Associate Professor Hiroshi Tamura (Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan) measured the presence of the oxidizing agent 8-OHdG in follicular fluids. High levels of oxidising agents such as 8-OHdG is an indicator of poor egg quality. The group found that as melatonin concentration in the folliclar fluids naturally increased, the level of 8-OHdG went down, leading the group to believe that melatonin was linked to the reduction of the stressing oxidising agents. Melatonin has known anti- oxidizing effects.

They confirmed this finding in mice, and noted that addition of melatonin seemed to reduce the damage to the egg caused by the presence of oxidising agents.

The group then initiated a trial with a group of women undergoing IVF treatment. Women who had failed to become pregnant because of poor oocytes quality after one cycle of IVF were split into two groups; 56 women were given 3 mg of melatonin before the next IVF cycle, and 59 just received a standard IVF cycle without any melatonin.

The team found that melatonin treatment significantly increased intrafollicular melatonin concentrations, and significantly decreased the concentration of the damaging 8-OhdG.

The results of the study found that 50% of the eggs from women who taken melatonin could be successfully fertilised, as opposed to 22.8% in the control group. When the eggs were then transplanted into the womb, 19% (11 out of the total 56) of the women became pregnant, as opposed to 10.2% (6 out of total 59) in the control group. [ x ]

Wheatgrass juice which contains chlorophyll, minerals, and vitamins A, B-complex, C, E, and K, protein and 17 amino acids is easily absorbed in human blood, which transports nutrients efficiently to every cell of the body. This makes wheatgrass juice an effective healer. In a study it was found that wheatgrass juice duplicates the molecular structure of hemoglobin, a important part of the blood, and because it is so rich in free-radical scavengers such as provitamin A, it may inhibit cancer.

However, there is little evidence that wheatgrass will improve egg quality.  The belief that wheatgrass can improve fertility can be traced back to a Kansas farmer from the 1930’s named Charles Schnabel. He claimed that when he fed wheat grass to his ailing chickens that they not only recovered but increased their egg laying potential.

Also, farmers in the Midwest who have sterile cows and bulls put them on wheatgrass to restore fertility. (The high magnesium content in chlorophyll builds enzymes that restore the sex hormones - NOT improve egg quality).

A small clinical study of infertile women as well as women with a history of miscarriage found that low levels of magnesium may impair reproductive function and increase the risk for miscarriage. The authors of the study suggest that one aspect of the treatment of infertility (particularly in women with a history of miscarriage) should include magnesium along with selenium.  [ x ]

No science just yet... [ x ]

Tel Aviv University researchers found that women who took 75 mg of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) for 40 days before their fertility treatments began were three times more likely to become pregnant than similar women without DHEA. The study was performed on 20 women aged 37 - 42 who had a history of poor quality ovulation.

DHEA had a positive effect upon the pregnancy too with all the DHEA group having healthy deliveries. The women taking DHEA had a 23 percent take-home-baby rate compared to 4 percent in the women who did not receive the natural hormone.

In a previous study on IVF, 25 women all with poor ovarian reserve were given two identical IVF cycles, one IVF cycle without - and one with DHEA supplementation. DHEA was given for approximately 4 months at 75 mg per day (25 mg three times a day) prior to and during IVF ovarian stimulation. The women in this study had day-3 FSH levels ranging form 3 to 20.

When the results were analyzed, the DHEA supplemented IVF cycles produced significantly more fertilized oocytes, more normal day 3 embryos and more good quality embryos. The study concluded that "this study confirms the previously reported beneficial effects of DHEA supplementation on ovarian function in women with diminished ovarian reserve."

A 2010 study looked at 33 women with significantly diminished ovarian reserves.  17 in the DHEA group and 16 in the control group. The 33 patients underwent 51 IVF cycles. The DHEA group demonstrated improved embryo quality during treatment between first and second cycles.  Patients in the DHEA group also had a significantly higher live birth rate compared with controls.  Six of seven deliveries were among patients with secondary infertility.  [ x ]

The confusing part to many consumers, just like with alpha lipoic acid, is that there are two forms of CoQ10: ubiquinone and ubiquinol. In the body, the enzymatic conversion of ubiquinone to ubiquinol is an essential step in generating cellular energy. It is known that more than 90 percent of the CoQ10 found in a healthy young individual’s plasma is in the ubiquinol form. In addition, the body’s ability to convert ubiquinone to ubiquinol tends to decline with age.  It is therefore recommended that women take the more expensive ubiquinol. [ x ]

Several exciting new studies have emerged that have shed new light on MI and its role in fertility, particularly Assisted Reproductive Technology. The latest study of interest demonstrated that treatment with 4 g per day of MI for three months prior to IVF improved egg quality in women who had failed a previous IVF due to poor egg quality. In this study the treatment also included 3mg per day of melatonin.  [ x ]

No science just yet... [ x ]