Comparative Study of Oocyte Quality in Young and Advanced-aged Women

Background: Oocyte quality is a key determinant of female fertility, influencing fertilization, embryo development, and pregnancy outcomes. Advanced maternal age (AMA) is associated with declining oocyte competence due to chromosomal abnormalities, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cytoplasmic changes. While previous studies have focused on genetic and molecular changes, a systematic classification of oocyte maturity and quality across different age groups remains underexplored. Objective: To compare the quality of oocytes retrieved from young and advanced-aged women by evaluating key parameters such as total oocytes retrieved, the proportion of Metaphase II (MII) oocytes, Metaphase I (MI) oocytes, Germinal Vesicle (GV) oocytes, and Atretic (ATR) oocytes to assess the impact of aging on oocyte maturity and developmental competence. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 women aged 25–50 years undergoing assisted reproductive treatment (ART) were included in the study. Participants were categorized into five age groups: 25–30, 31–35, 36–40, 41–45, and 45–50 years. Oocytes were retrieved, denuded, and classified based on their maturity status (MII, MI, GV, ATR). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software, and statistical significance was determined using ANOVA with a P < 0.05. Results: The number of MII oocytes significantly declined with age (negative correlation: −0.946). MI oocytes showed a weak positive correlation with age (Spearman’s correlation: 0.308). GV oocytes exhibited no correlation with age (correlation coefficient: 0.000). Atretic oocytes demonstrated a slight but nonsignificant positive correlation with age (correlation coefficient: 0.224). The overall ovarian response, indicated by the total number of retrieved oocytes, was lower in older age groups. Conclusion: Oocyte quality and maturity decline significantly with advancing age, particularly reflected in a reduced proportion of MII oocytes. The findings suggest that aging impacts oocyte competence, affecting ART success rates. A better understanding of age-related oocyte quality deterioration may help refine fertility treatment strategies, improve ART outcomes, and guide personalized reproductive interventions.