How to Test Egg Quality for Fertility?

Have you ever wondered how healthy your eggs really are?

Many women believe that age is the primary factor affecting fertility. However, the quality of the eggs also plays a huge role in their chances of successfully conceiving.

Did you know that the quality of eggs begins to decline significantly after the age of 35? So, how do you actually test the quality of your eggs and understand your fertility potential?

This blog will guide you through the necessary tests to check the egg quality for fertility and what they mean for your journey towards parenthood. 

Understanding Egg Quality and Its Importance

Egg quality basically means the health and viability of a woman’s eggs, which is important when trying to conceive. High-quality eggs make fertilisation easy. Several factors influence the quality of eggs, including age, lifestyle, and overall health. 

On the other hand, poor-quality eggs can lead to difficulties in conception. They increase the chances of miscarriage and chromosomal abnormalities. For this reason, improving egg quality is crucial if you are trying to conceive. There are several ways to help you achieve this, including maintaining a balanced diet, practicing stress management, and using appropriate supplements. Doctors, at times, recommend these before you go for an egg quality test for fertility.

Key Tests to Assess Egg Quality for IVF

Here are some of the common female egg quality tests: 

Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) Test

AMH is a hormone made by small follicles in your ovaries. Doctors measure the levels of AMH to get an idea of how many eggs are there. High AMH levels indicate a higher number of eggs, while lower levels suggest a lower number of eggs. One of the advantages of this test is that it can be performed at any time during your menstrual cycle. 

Follicle Stimulation Hormone (FSH) Test

This test is generally done on the second or third day of your period. High FSH levels indicate that your ovarian reserve is low, meaning there are fewer eggs. There is also a chance that eggs may not be as healthy. The Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) egg quality test helps doctors understand how your body will respond to fertility treatments. 

Antral Follicle Count (AFC) Test

This egg quality test is done using an ultrasound to count the small, visible follicles in your ovaries. If there is a higher number of follicles, that suggests better egg quality. The AFC test also helps fertility specialists plan your IVF treatment better, which includes prescribing the right dosage of medications. 

Estradiol (E2) Test

Estradiol is a form of estrogen, and its levels are checked early in your cycle. Abnormal levels may impact your FSH results and provide insight into your ovarian health.

Ovarian Reserve Testing

In some cases, doctors combine the AMH, FSH, E2, and AFC test results to obtain a comprehensive picture of ovarian reserve. This is known as ovarian reserve testing. They help you understand both the number and health of your eggs, which further guides your IVF journey. 

Genetic Screening (Optional)

For women with repeated IVF failures or advanced age, genetic testing of eggs or embryos may be suggested. This can help detect chromosomal issues that could affect egg quality and embryo development.

These tests to check egg quality help you and your fertility specialist to make informed decisions and increase your chances of a successful IVF journey. 

Key Factors That Affect Egg Quality

As we mentioned earlier, several factors can affect egg quality. Let’s check them:

• Exercise & Physical Activity– Lack of any kind of physical activity or exercise can hamper the quality of a woman’s eggs. Adding yoga or brisk walking to your daily routine can improve the quality of your eggs. 
• Weight- Both overweight and underweight women have higher chances of facing ovulatory dysfunction, which may cause a deterioration in egg quality. Hence, maintaining a healthy BMI is essential.
• Smoking & Alcohol Consumption– Smoking and excessive alcohol intake can lead to endocrine dysfunctions that result in poor-quality eggs in women of reproductive age.
• Stress & Mental Health- Excessive stress increases follicular cortisol levels, which affects egg quality. Engage in stress-reducing activities, such as yoga, meditation, or gentle exercise, to promote relaxation.
• Sleep Schedule – Women without a proper sleep routine may affect their melatonin production cycle, which can result in the ova losing their viability. 

Medical Conditions That Affect Egg Quality

Several medical conditions can impact a woman’s egg quality and overall fertility. Understanding these helps in early diagnosis and timely treatment.

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS):
  A hormonal imbalance that affects ovulation and leads to poor egg maturation. Women with PCOS often have irregular cycles and reduced egg quality.
• Endometriosis:
  This condition causes tissue similar to the uterine lining to grow outside the uterus, leading to inflammation around the ovaries and affecting egg health.
• Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI):
  A condition where the ovaries lose their normal function before age 40, leading to fewer and poorer-quality eggs.
• Thyroid Disorders:
  Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can disrupt hormonal balance, interfering with ovulation and egg development.
• Diabetes and Insulin Resistance:
  Poorly managed blood sugar levels can harm ovarian function and reduce egg quality over time.
• Autoimmune Disorders:
  Conditions like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can cause the immune system to attack ovarian tissue, affecting egg health.

Can We Test Egg Quality After Retrieval? 

Some individuals are curious about the possibility of testing eggs once they are recovered. The fact is that genetic testing cannot be done on eggs. Only after fertilisation, when eggs become embryos, is genetic testing feasible.

During an IVF cycle, egg quality can be evaluated after retrieval. Embryologists use a microscope to assess the maturity, shape, and appearance of the eggs once they are harvested. For fertilisation, mature eggs in the metaphase II stage are considered the most suitable. Egg quality can also be assessed using other markers, such as the shape, cytoplasm, and outer layers (zona pellucida). It’s crucial to remember that ocular evaluation cannot accurately estimate genetic health. Advanced tests, such as Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT), are performed after fertilisation to assess the quality of the embryo in order to gain deeper insights. Egg quality evaluation increases the likelihood of a successful pregnancy by helping fertility doctors select the best eggs or embryos.

Conclusion

Evaluating the quality of the eggs is a crucial part of the IVF procedure, as it directly impacts the treatment’s effectiveness and the likelihood of a successful pregnancy. Fertility specialists can customise treatment programs to maximise results by using tests like the AMH, E2, and FSH tests, which offer important insights into ovarian function.

In IVF, embryologists also assess eggs under a microscope after retrieval to evaluate maturity and structure. These egg quality tests for fertility help personalise treatment plans, improve stimulation protocols, and enhance embryo selection. Ultimately, accurate egg testing increases the chances of a successful IVF outcome, helping couples take confident steps toward parenthood.