Egg numbers and egg quality decline with age. The video briefly explains how this affects IVF treatment and the chromosomes of the egg.
In the video, Prof. Dr. İkbal Kaygusuz explains how age affects IVF treatment. One of the first questions asked of a woman who wants a child is her age, because in IVF the more eggs are obtained, the greater the chance of obtaining embryos, and the more embryos there are, the greater the chance of pregnancy.
With age, both the number of eggs obtained and egg quality decline. Body cells contain 46 chromosomes, whereas eggs and sperm each carry 23; at fertilisation a structure with 46 chromosomes forms again. Eggs with chromosomal damage are more common after the age of 35; this can also occur under 35, but less often, and it rises clearly with age.
Embryos formed from eggs with chromosomal damage may fail to implant, or the pregnancy may end in miscarriage after implantation. The video stresses that the real aim of IVF is not just a positive pregnancy test but a pregnancy that ends in birth, and that this becomes less likely at an older age. For this reason, it advises not postponing plans for a child for too long when circumstances allow.
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