What does “abnormal fertilisation” mean?

What does “abnormal fertilisation” mean?

Abnormal fertilisation sometimes occurs in embryos and can be identified by the embryologist by observing the number of pronuclei visible during the fertilisation checks. Your fertilised egg should clearly show two sets of genetic information in the form of pronuclei, one from the egg and one from the sperm.

If the embryologist can only see one pronuclei in the embryo, it’s an indication that the egg has activated but the sperm that entered the egg has not. These embryos have no potential for life and are immediately discarded. Embryos that clearly show more than two pronuclei are also considered abnormal and can occur when more than one sperm penetrates the egg, or during ICSI when there is an abnormal cell division in the egg.

Unfortunately, there is no test for egg quality, the only way we can see if your eggs are normal is by trying to fertilise them. As we know that DNA damage is directly related to egg quality, we also know that the difference in quality between a 25 year old’s eggs and a 40 year old woman’s eggs, is simply a matter of statistical likelihood of the eggs being normal.

There are ways to help reduce DNA fragmentation when it comes to female fertility, most of these ways are able to be accomplished at home without medical interventions or fertility treatments, however, these are merely ways to help increase your chances of falling pregnant, not necessarily a guarantee.

When trying to boost female fertility, simple lifestyle changes such diet, stopping smoking, limiting alcohol and ensuring that you’re not exposing yourself to toxins that can contribute to increased levels of oxidative stress can make a huge difference. Visit our guide the 6 Foods to Help Boost Female Fertility.

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FAQs about improving natural fertility

Will stress affect my ability to get pregnant?

Yes, chronic stress can impact fertility by disrupting hormonal balance and ovulation patterns. Managing stress through relaxation techniques, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and mindfulness practices may help optimise your chances of conception. Consider speaking with a counsellor if stress feels overwhelming.

How does my partner's health affect our fertility?

Sperm health accounts for about 40% of conception challenges. Your partner can improve sperm health by maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding excessive heat exposure (hot tubs, saunas, tight clothing), limiting alcohol, quitting smoking, managing stress, and taking a multivitamin with antioxidants. Sperm takes about 3 months to develop, so lifestyle changes need time to show results.

When during my cycle am I most fertile?

Your fertile window typically spans 5-6 days, ending on ovulation day. For a regular 28-day cycle, this usually falls between days 10-15, with peak fertility 1-2 days before ovulation. Track your cycle using ovulation predictor kits, basal body temperature, or cervical mucus changes to identify your unique pattern. Having intercourse every 1-2 days during this window optimises your chances.