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Fertility Glossary

Age and fertility

Egg number and egg quality decline with age, gradually then faster after the mid-thirties.

Fertility basics

Age at egg retrieval or conception is the single strongest predictor of success in fertility care. The decline is about both the number of eggs remaining and the proportion that are chromosomally normal. Sperm quality also changes with age, though more slowly. Age affects averages, not individuals, so testing is still needed to understand your own situation.

Also known as: biological clock, advanced maternal age, age 35

Sources

  • Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) patient information

Last reviewed: September 9, 2026. Written by the Antega Editorial Team. General information only โ€” always follow the advice of your own clinic, doctor or pharmacist.

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