Groundbreaking findings provide a proof-of-concept development of a non-invasive cell-based method to improve the quality of eggs from older females for IVF SINGAPORE , Sept. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers from the Mechanobiology Institute (MBI) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the NUS Bia-Echo Asia Centre for Reproductive Longevity and Equality (ACRLE), based at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine), have developed an innovative technique to significantly enhance the reproductive potential of aged oocytes, or immature egg cells, potentially paving the way for better outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies, such as in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), for older females. The team demonstrated the rejuvenation of oocytes from an older preclinical model by using a young follicular environment to partially restore its reproductive function, and in turn, generated a better quality egg for IVF.
Female reproductive ageing is a natural process that is associated with changes in a woman's reproductive system over time, including a sharp decline in egg quantity and quality. With many women choosing to have children later in life, understanding and mitigating the impacts of ageing on egg cell quality has become crucial to develop strategies for successful egg cell maturation, fertilisation, and embryo development. Working at the forefront to understand the mechanics behind female reproductive ageing, a team of researchers led by Professor Rong LI,.