Breakthrough in Egg Defect Could Ease IVF Rollercoaster for Women Over 35
A recent study presented at the Fertility 2026 conference in Edinburgh has brought promising news to women struggling with age-related infertility, particularly those over 35. The breakthrough involves reversing a common defect in eggs that causes them to deteriorate with age, which can significantly reduce the success rates of IVF treatment.
Researchers from Ovo Labs discovered that by supplementing eggs with Shugoshin 1 protein, they were able to almost halve the likelihood of chromosome defects occurring during fertilization. This finding suggests that there may be a window of opportunity in IVF treatment where eggs can be rejuvenated before fertilization, potentially improving overall success rates.
The defect in question involves a crucial protein called Shugoshin 1, which acts as an "adhesive" to keep chromosomes paired and stable. As women age, the levels of this protein decline, leading to chromosome instability and increased risk of failed IVF cycles. The study's results indicate that supplementing eggs with Shugoshin 1 could potentially mitigate this issue.
While the research is still in its early stages and requires further testing to confirm its safety and efficacy, the potential implications are significant. Dr. Agata Zielinska, co-CEO of Ovo Labs, hopes that the breakthrough will enable women to conceive within a single IVF attempt, reducing the emotional rollercoaster often associated with this process.
The study's findings have been welcomed by experts in the field, who acknowledge the long-standing challenge of addressing age-related female infertility. "It's a huge unmet need," said Dr. Agata Zielinska. "This would be a first-in-class solution for improving egg quality."
However, caution is needed, as the research is still experimental and requires further confirmation before it can be widely adopted. The team behind the breakthrough emphasizes that they do not want to overpromise, but rather aim to make a positive impact on the lives of women struggling with infertility.
As the scientific community continues to monitor this progress, one thing is clear: for women over 35 and those facing age-related infertility, there may be hope on the horizon.
A recent study presented at the Fertility 2026 conference in Edinburgh has brought promising news to women struggling with age-related infertility, particularly those over 35. The breakthrough involves reversing a common defect in eggs that causes them to deteriorate with age, which can significantly reduce the success rates of IVF treatment.
Researchers from Ovo Labs discovered that by supplementing eggs with Shugoshin 1 protein, they were able to almost halve the likelihood of chromosome defects occurring during fertilization. This finding suggests that there may be a window of opportunity in IVF treatment where eggs can be rejuvenated before fertilization, potentially improving overall success rates.
The defect in question involves a crucial protein called Shugoshin 1, which acts as an "adhesive" to keep chromosomes paired and stable. As women age, the levels of this protein decline, leading to chromosome instability and increased risk of failed IVF cycles. The study's results indicate that supplementing eggs with Shugoshin 1 could potentially mitigate this issue.
While the research is still in its early stages and requires further testing to confirm its safety and efficacy, the potential implications are significant. Dr. Agata Zielinska, co-CEO of Ovo Labs, hopes that the breakthrough will enable women to conceive within a single IVF attempt, reducing the emotional rollercoaster often associated with this process.
The study's findings have been welcomed by experts in the field, who acknowledge the long-standing challenge of addressing age-related female infertility. "It's a huge unmet need," said Dr. Agata Zielinska. "This would be a first-in-class solution for improving egg quality."
However, caution is needed, as the research is still experimental and requires further confirmation before it can be widely adopted. The team behind the breakthrough emphasizes that they do not want to overpromise, but rather aim to make a positive impact on the lives of women struggling with infertility.
As the scientific community continues to monitor this progress, one thing is clear: for women over 35 and those facing age-related infertility, there may be hope on the horizon.
this breakthrough could be a game changer for women over 35, i mean it's crazy how something as simple as adding a protein to eggs can almost halve the risk of chromosome defects during fertilization 
. but we need to keep in mind that this is still super early stages and more research is needed to confirm its safety & efficacy 
. also, it's not like they're saying it'll work 100% for everyone, just that it might help some people conceive within one IVF attempt 
. let's all stay optimistic and hopeful for women who are struggling with infertility 
just got some good news, but I gotta balance it out 
anyway, some women over 35 might have a better shot at getting pregnant with this new egg-rejuvenation tech, but we still gotta be real... another study shows that even if they do get pregnant, there's a higher risk of miscarriage and chromosomal abnormalities... the odds aren't entirely in their favor 
also, who can afford to try out some super expensive IVF treatment just yet? 
it's like the universe is trying to give us hope, but then takes it away with a bunch of caveats... 
! If this study is right it means that older women can finally get pregnant with less hassle 
. I know how hard IVF is - the waiting and not knowing if you'll ever get a positive pregnancy test can drive you crazy 
. This could be a game changer for so many people trying to start a family.
. I hope they get the funding and testing done ASAP so we can see real results 
This is amazing news! Finally, some real progress in helping women who are having trouble getting pregnant as they get older 
. The idea that eggs can be 'rejuvenated' before fertilization is literally a game-changer for so many women out there. I've seen so many friends and family members go through the struggles of IVF and it's such an emotional rollercoaster 
.
Of course, we need to be cautious and wait for more research before we get ahead of ourselves, but the potential implications are so huge 
. Can't wait to see where this takes us!
at least now they might have a better chance of getting pregnant without all the stress & trials 
and reduce the risk of chromosome defects by half?! the researchers at Ovo Labs must be total geniuses 
i'm not surprised they're getting so much attention and praise from experts in the field, this could totally change the game for women over 35