About this Research Topic

Background

Due to social and cultural trends, women have been progressively delaying childbirth. This trend creates a challenge, as attempts to conceive towards the end of reproductive life are hindered by a decline in ovarian reserve, oocyte quality, and the percentage of euploid embryos, leading to a poor live birth rate.

While the solution of conception via oocyte donation had been in practice for over two decades and is well established, researchers and clinicians have struggled to develop strategies to improve the chances of women at this age group giving birth to a genetically linked child. In this Research Topic we will investigate several of the more promising solutions, with some already routinely practiced and others not quite ready for the limelight.

We welcome manuscripts that review the changes that lead to ovarian senescence and discuss the way the suggested solutions tackle these challenges. Oocyte and ovarian cortex cryopreservation, as well as AMH suppression, maintain a sizable primordial pool while ovarian cortex fragmentation and bone marrow derived stem cells allow residual dormant follicles to be recruited. Personalized controlled ovarian stimulation and the inclusion of adjuvants as well as mitochondrial transfer aim to optimize the outcome of the existing diminished oocytes. On the other hand, egg precursor cells and in vitro gemmate generation aim to create a new cohort of younger oocytes.

We will also welcome manuscripts discussing the ethical and social implications that some of these strategies as well as the resulting advanced age parenthood may create. This Research Topic will present the current data as well as barriers that may still exist in the implication of these solutions. All Article Types are accepted, including Original Research, Review, and Systematic Review.

Keywords: ovarian senescence, diminished ovarian reserve, advanced maternal age, fertility preservation, infertility

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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