In the process of pregnancy preparation, many women have insufficient understanding of their follicular reserve, which will affect their accurate assessment of their fertility and make it difficult to formulate an effective pregnancy preparation plan. Follicle reserve refers to the number and stock of immature follicles in the ovary. At birth, the follicle reserve is fixed (about 1 to 2 million), and steadily declines with age—an irreversible process. Although we cannot increase the total number of innate follicles, scientific interventions can slow the rate of depletion. Therefore, how to effectively reduce follicular atresia is crucial for women preparing for pregnancy.
The mechanism of follicular cell apoptosis
Let’s start with a key concept: Cytochrome C is a protein existing in the mitochondria of cells and is normally involved in energy metabolism. However, when follicles are impacted by factors such as oxidative stress, malnutrition or inflammation, the permeability of the mitochondrial membrane changes, leading to excessive cytochrome C release into the cytoplasm, which activates a series of cascade reactions of caspase proteases, eventually leading to apoptosis of follicular cells. Excessive free radicals are the main factors leading to mitochondrial damage and inducing cytochrome C release. Therefore, maintaining mitochondrial stability and reducing the release of harmful cytochrome C is one of the direct ways to protect the follicular stock.
Build strong cellular defenses
This can be achieved by building a robust antioxidant defense system in cells by administering preconception supplements containing specific ingredients, such as the antioxidant components (zinc, goji seeds, etc.) from Juvenex Reco18, which effectively neutralize free radicals and protect the integrity of the mitochondrial membrane. Stabilizing the cell state from the source and reducing the cascade that triggers apoptosis provide cellular environmental support for reducing follicular atresia. In addition, the provision of specific nutrients is fundamental to support the efficient work of mitochondria. Reco18, enzymically extracted by Juvenex Reco18 from legume and cruciferous plants using a proprietary extraction technique, is a constituent of follicular fluid. Juvenex Reco18 has been clinically proven to reduce the release of cytochrome C from mitochondrial membranes and repair damaged mitochondria, thus restoring energy supply to cells in the ovary and reducing follicular atresia, thereby preserving the follicular reserve as a whole.
In summary, an important direction of modern pregnancy preparation strategy is to try to reduce follicular atresia by anti-oxidation, improving cellular energy metabolism, and regulating endocrine, so as to retain more and higher quality eggs for successful pregnancy.