Ovarian reserve (OR) is the repertoire of residual oocyte-granulosa cells that are available at any given age for procreation. Though a decline in OR is considered natural with an advancement in maternal age, the number of women delaying childbearing has increased over the past few decades, owing to lifestyle changes. According to the 2009 report of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), the average age of women in the US opting for first-time motherhood increased by 3.6 years, from 21.4 in 1970 to 25 years in 2006. Similarly, the average age for first birth is nearing 30 years in other developed nations. Some premenopausal women experience an acceleration in the OR decline process due to which ovarian stimulation leads to suboptimal responses during infertility treatment. Further, these women may be at a higher risk of trisomic pregnancy and transgression into menopause at an earlier age.

This article was published in the September 2009 issue of the IVF NEWS.Direct! journal.

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