ovarian reserve


ovarian reserve

A term of art referring to the capacity of the ovaries to provide one or more eggs capable of becoming fertilised, leading to a successful term pregnancy. FSH measurement serves as a surrogate marker of ovarian reserve; inconceivable women typically have a poor ovarian reserve.

ovarian reserve

The number of remaining oocytes or follicles in the ovaries. The number typically falls with increasing age. It also declines as a result of some types of chemotherapy. Women with very limited ovarian reserves may have difficulty conceiving a child without assisted reproductive techniques. See also: reserve