IVF, In-vitro Fertilization, where In-vitro means out of the body and fertilisation means fusing a sperm and an egg. IVF is an assisted reproductive technology treatment where a man’s sperm and a woman’s egg are fertilised in a lab and then transferred to the uterine lining, where the baby grows. IVF is a fertility treatment that has helped many couples become parents. But, many factors influence its success, with the number of eggs being the most crucial, as it is a process where mature eggs from the ovaries are collected for fertilisation. Read here to know the average eggs retrieved in an IVF cycle, how different factors determine it and more.
Egg retrieval is an important step in the IVF process, in which fertility medication is used to stimulate the ovaries to obtain mature eggs. The goal is to collect as many good eggs as possible while still maintaining efficacy and safety. Egg retrieval occurs through the process called follicular aspiration, where eggs are removed from a woman's ovaries.
It is a small surgery, done using medicines to make the operation pain-free. A thin needle with a suction device is inserted into both ovaries and follicles (sacs with eggs) one at a time using ultrasound as a guide, to extract eggs and fluid from each follicle. In a few cases, a laparoscopy is used to extract eggs.
The number of eggs retrieved has a significant impact on IVF success. Having a larger number of eggs to begin with increases the chance of generating good, viable embryos, leading to embryonic implantation and pregnancy. Additionally, having more embryos allows for multiple implantation attempts and enhances the overall success rate if a new IVF cycle is required.
If you are considering an IVF procedure, it is normal to know what the average eggs retrieved is during the egg retrieval phase. Generally, the normal number of eggs retrieved in IVF ranges between 8 and 15. This depends on many factors, such as ovarian reserve, age, response to fertility medications and overall health. It’s important to remember that each woman is different; therefore, their response to IVF treatment will be different. The number of eggs retrieved influences the success rate, as the more eggs produced, the more viable embryos to transfer. So, the quality of eggs is as important as quantity.
It is one of the most crucial factors that influences egg numbers. Women are born with a finite number of eggs, and their quality and quantity decline naturally over time. After 35, it is common that the egg retrieval reduces, and those collected may not lead to a healthy pregnancy.
This test gives an estimate of the available eggs. While it cannot predict fertility, it helps doctors determine the body’s response to medications. Common assessments are:
AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone): A blood test that shows the remaining eggs.
AFC (Antral follicle count): This transvaginal ultrasound determines the number of ovarian follicles available at the start of a menstrual cycle.
FSH (Follicle-stimulating hormone): This test measures levels of FSH, and a higher AFC and AMH indicate that more eggs can be retrieved during treatment.
Response to medications is not uniform during ovarian stimulation: some women respond well and others need dosage adjustments or protocol changes. The medications taken, response to them and the timing of the cycle all contribute to the egg count.
● PCOS: Women who suffer from PCOS have more follicles and thus have a higher egg count; however, since not all eggs may be ready for fertilisation, they are not fully mature.
● Endometriosis: This condition affects the ovaries' response to stimulation, and it also decreases the follicular count.
Lifestyle
● Weight: Being overweight or underweight may impact egg production and hormone regulation.
● Smoking: It reduces ovarian reserve and egg quality over time.
● Nutrition: A diet that does not have essential nutrients may affect egg quality.
● Stress: It increases cortisol in the body and lowers the quality and quantity of eggs.
Low egg retrieval in IVF what it means that there are fewer than 5 eggs retrieved, which may result in a lower success rate, as the eggs extracted may not be genetically normal or may not be mature. This reduces the number of good-quality embryos and lowers the chances of having good embryos for implantation. If you have a low ovarian reserve, mild stimulation, embryo banking, or egg donation are alternative options.
Retrieving 8 to 15 eggs is the ideal number of eggs for IVF success, as this range offers a higher chance of good-quality embryos for implantation or embryo freezing for future use. This range also reduces the risk of OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome) and increases pregnancy rate.
A higher egg count retrieval does not guarantee high IVF success as it can cause OHSS, a condition which causes fluid retention, painful and swollen ovaries. Egg quality may be compromised, and a fresh embryo transfer may not be feasible because of a hormonal imbalance. A high egg count can lead to lower endometrial receptivity, which in turn affects implantation rates. The workaround for this is to freeze the embryo and do the transfer later.
While both egg quality and quantity are important, quality matters most. The egg quantity cannot be improved; quality matters, as they are genetically normal and develop into a good-quality embryo. Ideally, more eggs may improve the chances of IVF success, but even a few high-quality eggs are more valuable than multiple lower-quality eggs. With the use of advanced IVF techniques, specialists can select the best eggs from the available selection and ensure successful fertilisation, embryo development and implantation.
Every woman’s body is different, and so is her fertility journey. No two people face the same challenges, so comparing your egg count numbers with those of other women is very misleading. In addition to egg count, factors impacting the outcome are maternal age, pre-existing medical conditions and the response to medications. Therefore, it is best to see a specialist to know your ovarian reserve, discuss your concerns, the treatment outcome, and plan an effective personalised IVF protocol.
Egg retrieval is an important process in fertility treatment, and it is normal to feel anxious about the number of eggs retrieved. Many factors influence it, and women should take proactive measures to optimise their health for the best possible outcome. For successful IVF, the average egg count is 8 to 15, yet quality matters and with personalised treatment and support, you can expect the best results.
The average number of eggs retrieved during an IVF cycle is 8 to 15.
Anything more than 8 eggs is regarded as a normal number of eggs retrieved in IVF.
While retrieving more eggs may increase the IVF success rate, the quality of the eggs is equally important.
If fewer eggs are retrieved, it decreases the number of viable embryos and affects implantation success.
