Ovarian reserve refers to the pool of eggs remaining in a woman's ovaries at a given time. It naturally declines with age, though the rate of decline varies between individuals. It is estimated indirectly using blood tests such as AMH and antral follicle count on ultrasound, rather than measured directly. Ovarian reserve reflects egg quantity, not egg quality. A woman with a lower reserve can still conceive, and a woman with a normal reserve can still have poor-quality eggs, especially with advancing age. These tests are used to plan fertility treatment, particularly the dose and approach for ovarian stimulation in IVF.
Also known as: egg reserve, ovarian reserve testing
Related India guides
Sources
- ICMR Standard Treatment Workflows (icmr.gov.in/standard-treatment-workflows-stws)
- Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (fogsi.org)
Last reviewed: 9 September 2026. Written by the Antega Editorial Team. General information only — always follow the advice of your own clinic, doctor or pharmacist.