How long does an egg cell live?

The egg cell is the female reproductive cell. It matures in the ovary and is released at the time of ovulation. The average lifespan of an egg cell is approx. 24 hours. If it is not fertilised by the sperm by then - it dies.

When does ovulation occur?

The release of the mature ovum most often occurs between days 12 and 18 of the cycle. It is assumed that 14 days should be deducted from the date of expected menstruation to determine the moment of ovulation. However, this is not a precise calculation as every woman's cycle is different.

Helpful date setting ovulation in addition to the length of the menstrual cycle, a home ovulation test that detects an increase in the concentration of the hormone LH in the urine before ovulation can be performed. Sophisticated ovulation calculators (e.g. in the form of an app for your phone), in which you can note down information about successive cycles, also find their use. The programme collects information from the last few months and indicates the predicted date of ovulation.

How long are your fertile days?

The fertility window begins 5 days before the release of the mature egg and lasts until 24 hours after ovulation (when the unfertilised egg dies). This is because sperm can survive in a woman's reproductive tract for up to 5 days. It is believed that best chance of conception occur in cases of sexual intercourse 1-2 days before ovulation or on the day of ovulation.

If a sperm-oocyte II fusion occurs, the fertilised oocyte travels through the fallopian tube towards the uterus, where the blastocyst is implanted on day 5-7 after fertilisation.

How many egg cells does a woman have?

Ovarian reserve is the total number of primary ovarian follicles a woman has. It is already determined before birth and decreases with time. At birth, a girl has approximately 2 million follicles from which an egg cell can mature in the future. Approximately 400 000 to 500 000 oocytes remain at maturation. With each cycle, the number of oocytes capable of fertilisation decreases. Genetic conditions and a woman's lifestyle have a strong influence on the rate of decline of ovarian reserve. However, it has been observed that the decline in reserve accelerates after the age of 35. At the age of 37, a woman has an average of about 25 000 ova. At the threshold of menopause, the pool decreases to a level of around 1 000.

DID YOU KNOW THAT

With each cycle, the number of ova capable of fertilisation decreases.

Can the quantity and quality of egg cells be influenced?

Oocyte quality is a fundamental predictor of achieving pregnancy. High-quality, morphologically and chromosomally normal oocytes give rise to stronger embryos and thus increase the chances of delivering a healthy baby.

Age is a major factor affecting oocyte quality. Female germ cells, unlike those that make up the skin, liver or other tissues and organs, do not have renewal mechanisms. With the passage of time, oocytes degenerate and die. This means that as a woman ages, her ability to produce good quality mature oocytes decreases. In fact, it is significantly reduced after the age of 35.

Currently, there are no methods to improve poor oocyte quality that is caused by the patient's age. However, it is worth remembering that a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet help to preserve fertility for longer.

DID YOU KNOW THAT

The decline in ovarian reserve accelerates after the age of 35.

How to take care of fertility and ova?

1. A healthy and balanced diet is the first step

Introduce foods rich in:

vitamins,
antioxidants,
nutrients.

Exclude from your diet:

simple sugars,
processed food.

2. more vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids

It is recommended to increase the intake of Vitamins E, C and Awhich protect the oocytes from the damaging effects of free radicals. Other nutrients that can improve the quality of oocytes are omega-3 fatty acids. They are mainly found in marine fish such as salmon, cod, mackerel and tuna.

3. Physical activity

Regular, moderate exercise should not be forgotten. Being active helps to maintain a healthy weight. Both being underweight and overweight inhibit normal ovulation.

4. smoking and alcohol

Smoking cessation is recommended. Tobacco 'ages' the ovaries and prematurely causes egg cell degradation. It is also worth cutting down on alcohol, which can reduce our chances of having offspring by interfering with the ovulation process.

5. relaxation

Ensure adequate sleep and rest. Stress, insomnia and anxiety reduce the body's immune defences and can affect the quality of the ova. Stress-reducing methods (yoga, acupuncture) are applicable. If the problem persists, it is advisable to seek the help of a psychologist.

6. chemicals

It is advisable to avoid contact with chemicals. Environmental pollutants and toxins, such as pesticides, solvents or lead, can adversely affect fertility.

DID YOU KNOW THAT

Infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhoeaare common causes of infertility in women. Sexually transmitted infections should be avoided.