What is the Origin of Ovarian Reserve Evaluation?

This term is fundamental to reproductive medicine and fertility preservation, emerging from the need to counsel women on their reproductive timeline and to optimize assisted reproductive technology outcomes. The concept is rooted in the understanding that the finite pool of primordial follicles declines irreversibly over time. The development of sensitive hormonal assays, particularly for AMH, has allowed for a non-invasive, quantifiable assessment of this biological reserve.

What is the Mechanism of Ovarian Reserve Evaluation?

The evaluation mechanism relies on measuring hormones directly involved in folliculogenesis. AMH is secreted by the granulosa cells of small, growing follicles, making its serum concentration a direct reflection of the non-growing follicle pool size. FSH levels, conversely, rise as ovarian reserve declines because the pituitary attempts to compensate for the diminished inhibin feedback from the fewer remaining follicles. The combined metrics provide a functional readout of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, quantifying the biological clock of the female reproductive system.

Ovarian Reserve Evaluation ∞ Area

Ovarian Reserve Evaluation

Meaning

A clinical assessment protocol used to estimate the quantity and quality of a woman’s remaining oocytes, or egg cells, within the ovaries, which is a key determinant of reproductive potential and a biomarker for reproductive aging. The evaluation typically involves measuring specific hormonal markers, such as Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), in conjunction with a transvaginal ultrasound to count antral follicles. This provides a critical prognosis for fertility and a window into the speed of reproductive senescence.