Egg Rejuvenation Advance Offers Hope for Older IVF Patients

Researchers report a method to “rejuvenate” human eggs, potentially reducing age-related defects, while genetic testing, AI, and reproductive innovations aim to improve fertility outcomes for older women and couples facing infertility.

“Overall we can nearly halve the number of eggs with [abnormal] chromosomes. That is a very prominent improvement,” says Melina Schuh, Director, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, and Co-Founder, Ovo Labs, which is developing the protein-based technique.

Declining egg quality is a primary factor in reduced fertility among women over 35 and contributes to lower success rates in in vitro fertilization (IVF), as well as increased risks of chromosomal disorders such as Down’s syndrome. In the United Kingdom, the birthrate per embryo transferred drops from 35% for patients under 35 to 5% for women aged 43–44. As cited by The Guardian, researchers at the Max Planck Institute found that supplementing eggs with the protein Shugoshin 1, which naturally declines with age, can help maintain chromosome alignment during meiosis, the process by which eggs prepare half their genetic material for fertilization. In experiments using eggs donated by fertility patients, the rate of chromosomal abnormalities fell from 53% in untreated eggs to 29% in those receiving microinjections of Shugoshin 1.

Agata Zielinska, Co-founder and Co-CEO, Ovo Labs, says the technique could allow more women to conceive within a single IVF cycle rather than relying on multiple attempts. While the method would not extend fertility beyond menopause, it represents a potential breakthrough for age-related infertility.

Advances in reproductive healthcare are not limited to egg rejuvenation. Genetic testing, including preconceptional and prenatal diagnostics, is increasingly integrated into fertility care. Nutrigenetic analysis can identify variations affecting folate metabolism, mitochondrial function, and epigenetic markers, allowing targeted interventions to enhance gamete quality, reduce hereditary risks, and improve IVF success rates. 

Integrating genetic insights into preconception and prenatal care can reduce complications, lower costs associated with repeated IVF cycles, and optimize outcomes for both parents and infants, says Gustavo Rodríguez Leal, Founder, NutriADN.

Global health authorities are also working to address systemic access gaps. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released its first framework for infertility care, highlighting that one in six people of reproductive age experiences infertility. The guideline calls for expanded, evidence-based services including IVF, intrauterine insemination, and public education, alongside psychosocial support to address the mental health impact of infertility. WHO emphasizes financial, geographic, and social barriers, noting that access inequities remain a major challenge even in countries with advanced reproductive health systems.

Automation and AI are also supporting IVF. Startups like Conceivable Life Sciences are testing robotics systems to handle eggs, select sperm, cultivate embryos, and perform cryopreservation, aiming to reduce costs and reliance on specialized embryologists. Early trials have produced pregnancies, though experts caution that further studies and regulatory approval are required before widespread adoption. Similar technologies, including Columbia University’s robotic embryo cultivation systems, indicate a broader trend toward precision-assisted fertility care.

Together, these advances reflect a shift toward proactive, personalized, and more accessible reproductive healthcare. From protein-based egg rejuvenation to genetic testing, and AI-assisted IVF, the convergence of innovations offers multiple pathways to improve outcomes, reduce costs, and support informed reproductive choices for couples worldwide.