Most people don’t realize how important egg count can be before starting IVF (In Vitro Fertilization). It’s not just about having eggs; it’s about how many, how healthy they are, and how likely they are to develop into strong embryos. That’s why we think it’s essential to talk about this topic. Understanding how egg quantity and quality affect treatment outcomes is key to building a personalized, realistic plan with better chances of success.
Egg quantity and quality, a complex equation
One of the first steps in planning fertility treatment is evaluating a patient’s ovarian reserve, the number of eggs available in the ovaries. This is usually assessed through ultrasound to count antral follicles and hormone tests like AMH, Anti-Müllerian Hormone.
But it’s not just a numbers game. The quality of those eggs matters just as much, meaning their genetic potential to become healthy embryos that can lead to a full-term pregnancy.
As time goes by, both egg quantity and quality decline, especially after the age of 35. That’s why, in many cases, we recommend a preparatory stage called egg banking before starting IVF. This involves one or more rounds of controlled ovarian stimulation to retrieve as many mature eggs as possible for future use.
Why a single egg retrieval may not be enough
It comes down to biology. Not every egg retrieved will mature. Not every mature egg will fertilize. And even when fertilization occurs, not all embryos will develop correctly, and not all will be genetically healthy.
So, from a medical and statistical perspective, maximizing the number of available eggs increases the chances of success at each stage of the process.
In general, research shows that retrieving 10 to 15 mature eggs gives the best chance of obtaining at least one euploid embryo, meaning an embryo with the correct number of chromosomes. Of course, this number can vary greatly depending on age, diagnosis, sperm quality, and other factors.
There are cases where a single healthy egg has resulted in a successful pregnancy, but relying on that outcome alone significantly lowers the overall chances.
Why genetic testing matters
A key part of modern fertility treatment is genetic testing, of sperm, eggs, and especially embryos. Techniques like PGT-A, Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidies, can detect chromosomal abnormalities that may interfere with implantation or lead to miscarriage.
By identifying the most viable embryos, these tests can help prioritize which to transfer and reduce the emotional and physical toll of failed cycles.
What if ovarian reserve is low?
When the number or quality of a patient’s own eggs is too low to achieve a viable pregnancy, egg donation may be the next step. Far from being a last resort, this option is often a highly effective path to parenthood, especially for those over 40, with repeated IVF failures, or hereditary conditions.
Donor eggs come from healthy young women carefully selected and screened, which significantly increases success rates.
A decision that begins with information
There’s no perfect number of eggs that guarantees pregnancy, every case is different. But having access to a higher number of good-quality eggs means better chances of selecting the right ones, avoiding unnecessary risks, and increasing the chances of success.
Fertility treatment doesn’t begin at embryo transfer. It starts much earlier, with a full evaluation of your ovarian reserve, your overall reproductive health, and your partner’s if applicable, and a clear plan for each phase of the journey.
Today’s fertility medicine offers powerful tools to improve outcomes.
At Nascere, our focus is on getting the right diagnosis and building a personalized strategy to help you reach your dream of becoming a parent.
