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Oocyte Quality

Meaning

Oocyte quality is a comprehensive biological metric that reflects the developmental competence of a female gamete, specifically its intrinsic ability to be successfully fertilized and support subsequent embryonic development to term. This crucial measure is determined by the oocyte’s nuclear integrity, the functionality of its mitochondria, and the maturity of its cytoplasm, including the correct spatial distribution of essential proteins and mRNA. Declining oocyte quality is recognized as the primary biological factor contributing to age-related female infertility. Optimizing this quality through nutritional and hormonal support is a major clinical focus in assisted reproductive technologies.