gynecology and obstetrics
Decreased Ovarian Reserve (DOR)
Introduction
Decreased ovarian reserve is a decrease in the quantity or quality of oocytes, leading to impaired fertility. (See also Overview of Infertility .) Ovarian reserve may begin to decrease at age 30 or even earlier and decreases rapidly after age 40. Ovarian lesions or prior ovarian surgery also decreases reserve. Although increasing age is a risk factor for decreased ovarian reserve, age and decreased ovarian reserve are each independent predictors of infertility and thus of a poorer response to fertility treatment. However, decreased ovarian reserve does not mean that pregnancy is impossible. 