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As someone approaching her mid-30s and hoping to start a family soon, I certainly don\u2019t want to think about the quantity and quality of my eggs\u2014both of which are essential for reproductive success\u2014diminishing as I get older [1]. But for those of us currently on the path to parenthood, or who would like to have children in the future, understanding diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) can be important. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may have heard of recommended treatments for low AMH\/diminished ovarian reserve<\/a>, some of which have more merit than others. Now a new study focuses on iodine\u2019s potential capacity to make an impact on fertility outcomes\u2014specifically by improving egg quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A woman is born with all the eggs she will ever have, and the number naturally diminishes as she ages. A woman is said to have \u2018diminished ovarian reserve,\u2019 when her ovaries have fewer eggs than expected for her age. The quality of the eggs may also be low. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While age is the most common cause<\/a> of diminished ovarian reserve, there can be other factors<\/a> at work: a family history of premature menopause; chemotherapy and radiation treatments<\/a>; autoimmune and thyroid disorders; pelvic inflammatory disease caused by infections; environmental toxins; endometriosis of the ovaries; and even lifestyle factors like smoking, stress, lack of exercise, and poor nutrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For those diagnosed with DOR, recommended treatments first include improving one\u2019s diet, reducing stress, and exercising regularly. Some women with DOR may be encouraged to use: in vitro fertilization<\/a> (IVF), either with their own eggs or with donor eggs; intrauterine insemination (IUI) [2]; hormone replacement therapy<\/a> to aid the menstrual cycle and lessen menopausal symptoms; and surgical procedures<\/a> on the ovaries to help regulate ovulation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As noted in this Natural Womanhood article<\/a>, however, a 2017 study<\/a> found that there was not a statistically significant difference in probability of conception between women with low ovarian reserve, and women with normal AMH and inhibin B values [3]. And, in 2024, another study<\/a> reaffirmed that ovarian reserve does not influence natural conception [4]. This means low AMH\/DOR alone may not be an evidence-based reason for using IVF to conceive, especially given its risks for moms and babies<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, some interventions may support and\/or improve egg quality, which may help lead to healthy conception. Some supplements<\/a>, like CoQ10, have been shown to improve the maturation rate of eggs, embryo quality, and clinical pregnancy rate [5]. Vitamin D<\/a> has been shown to improve egg quantity by increasing AMH [6], the hormone that interacts with Follicle-Stimulating Hormone<\/a> to control follicle growth. Melatonin<\/a> can also contribute to the maturation of eggs, fertilization, and embryonic development.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Notably, a small October 2025 study conducted in Iran and published in the journal Nature<\/em> found that iodine, a mineral that\u2019s essential<\/a> for thyroid health, metabolism regulation, and cognitive development in fetuses and children, may also have positive effects on fertility for women with DOR. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Prior studies have linked iodine deficiency with infertility\u2014specifically, delayed conception and a \u201c46% decrease in fecundability\u201d [1]. We know that iodine deficiency can have a negative impact on thyroid hormone production, and that proper thyroid function is essential for fertility<\/a> [7]. But the 2025 Iranian study was the first preliminary study to be conducted on the impact of iodine supplementation on oocyte quantity and quality, egg cell death (apoptosis), and successful DNA replication, repair, and assembly<\/a> of early follicles through the Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen<\/a> (PCNA), in women with DOR.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The experiment included ten Iranian women diagnosed with DOR who were between the age of 25 and 42 and candidates for IVF or egg freezing<\/a>. To qualify, these women also had to have: no history of smoking or substance abuse; no history of multiple miscarriages; no underlying medical conditions such as thyroid issues or endometriosis; and they had to agree to go through with two consecutive ovarian stimulation cycles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first cycle was conducted without iodine supplementation and followed the standard IVF protocol<\/a> for ovarian stimulation. Prior to the second cycle, the participants took 150 micrograms of iodine daily for two months, which is the amount of iodine recommended by Iran\u2019s national guidelines for those trying to conceive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After iodine supplementation, there was a notable percentage increase in the number of live cumulus cells, which rose from 26.4% to 67.9%. Cumulus cells can be thought of as the overall \u2018guardian\u2019 of the egg, because they directly surround the egg within the follicle, and make sure eggs develop properly and are able to be fertilized. Cumulus cells are vital for egg development and growth prior to ovulation, because they facilitate the conversion of glucose to its metabolites<\/a>\u2014molecules that are necessary for regulation and support of cellular function in eggs [5]. Cumulus cells also regulate the egg\u2019s cell division (meiosis<\/a>) process to prepare it for fertilization, and produce hyaluronic acid to expand and help the egg release from the follicle [5] [6].<\/p>\n\n\n\n After iodine supplementation, there was a notable percentage increase in the number of live cumulus cells, which rose from 26.4% to 67.9%. Cumulus cells can be thought of as the overall \u2018guardian\u2019 of the egg, because they directly surround the egg within the follicle, and make sure eggs develop properly and are able to be fertilized. <\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, early death of cumulus cells was reduced from 19.3% to 13.7%, and late death declined from 44.7% to 9.0%. While apoptosis is a controlled process of programmed cell death that helps to eliminate non-viable cumulus cells, a higher percentage of live cells is optimal for egg viability [8]. According to the study: \u201cA delicate balance between pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic factors within these cells is essential for successful ovulation and embryo development.\u201d From the study results, it appears that iodine helps to reduce death in these cumulus cells and maintain the balance required to produce quality eggs, a high fertilization rate, and a high quantity of eggs [1].<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Iranian researchers also found that an increase in Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen<\/a> (PCNA) expression following iodine supplementation correlated with the decrease in early and late cell death. The PCNA level after supplementation was approximately 3.4 times higher than before supplementation. This higher level of PCNA was an indicator that cumulus cells were proliferating properly<\/a>, or, actively growing and dividing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lastly, regarding egg quality after iodine supplementation, while there was not a significant increase in the number of immature or partially mature eggs retrieved, there was a notable increase in the number of fully mature eggs (M2), or the ones needed for successful fertilization. The number of M2 eggs grew from 1.9% to 3.2% [1].<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Iranian researchers therefore concluded that: \u201ctwo months of iodine supplementation significantly improved oocyte quality and positively affected various aspects of cell function\u2026 These results suggest that iodine supplementation may have a beneficial effect on ovarian health and fertility potential\u201d [1]. Importantly, for women with DOR\/low AMH, this increase in egg quality<\/em> may be even more significant for actual fertility than one’s quantity of eggs is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201ctwo months of iodine supplementation significantly improved oocyte quality and positively affected various aspects of cell function\u2026 These results suggest that iodine supplementation may have a beneficial effect on ovarian health and fertility potential\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n While this study does not report clinical findings like pregnancy or live birth rates, and further studies that include larger sample sizes and a placebo group are needed for further validation, this study was a vital first step in evaluating iodine\u2019s impact on overall egg health in women with DOR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Iodine is available as an over-the-counter supplement, typically in the form of synthetic potassium iodide or sodium iodide, although iodine naturally-derived from seaweed and kelp is also available in various supplement forms. (Note, however, that you shouldn\u2019t supplement with iodine\u2014or anything!\u2014blindly. While healthy levels of iodine promote good thyroid function, excess <\/em>iodine<\/a> can actually interfere with proper thyroid functioning [9].)<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to supplements, there are also many food-based sources of iodine. These sources include seafoods, milk and other dairy products,<\/a> and eggs, all of which may improve egg quality and other fertility parameters<\/a>. For those who don\u2019t eat animal products, iodine can be found<\/a> in seaweed and iodized salt.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n While further studies are needed to definitively confirm the findings of this Iranian study, this preliminary research provides hopeful evidence for women struggling with DOR that iodine supplementation may indeed create a better environment for healthy egg development and fertilization.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nDiminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR): What it is, and why it happens<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Treatments for diminished ovarian reserve<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A note on the evidence for IVF<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Vitamins and supplements<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Could iodine supplementation make a difference in egg quality?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How the study was conducted<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Study results<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Positive effects on cumulus cells\u2014the \u2018guardians\u2019 of the egg<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Effects on PCNA level and egg maturity<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Incorporating dietary iodine to improve egg quality?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
References<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n[1] Masoumi M, Bagheri M, Hantoushzadeh S, Jafarabadi M, Tarazjani MD, Haghollahi F, Hedayati M, Naseri F, Nazeri P. The effect of iodine supplementation on oocyte apoptosis and proliferation in women with diminished ovarian reserve: a pilot study. Sci Rep. 2025 Oct 3;15(1):34501. doi: 10.1038\/s41598-025-16545-w. PMID: 41044113; PMCID: PMC12494958. <\/p>\n\n\n\n[2] Deneer, J.J.M., Le Cessie, S., van Santbrink, E.J.P. et al.<\/em> Higher Pregnancy Success Rates in Patients with Diminished Ovarian Reserve\u2009<\u200940 Years When Initially Treated by Intrauterine Insemination with Mild Ovarian Stimulation Compared to In Vitro Fertilization Alone: A Pilot Study. Reprod. Sci.<\/em> 32<\/strong>, 2010\u20132018 (2025). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s43032-025-01830-w <\/p>\n\n\n\n[3] Steiner AZ, Pritchard D, Stanczyk FZ, et al. Association Between Biomarkers of Ovarian Reserve and Infertility Among Older Women of Reproductive Age. JAMA. 2017;318(14):1367\u20131376. doi:10.1001\/jama.2017.14588<\/p>\n\n\n\n[4] Galati G, Reschini M, Chine’ A, Benaglia L, Vigano’ P, Somigliana E, Vercellini P, Muzii L. Ovarian reserve does not influence natural conception: insights from infertile women. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2024 Nov;310(5):2691-2696. doi: 10.1007\/s00404-024-07741-6. Epub 2024 Sep 28. PMID: 39340554; PMCID: PMC11485058.<\/p>\n\n\n\n[5] Singh, S. (2025). Coenzyme Q10 supplementation in poor ovarian response and diminished ovarian reserve: A mitochondrial-targeted strategy to optimize assisted reproductive technologies outcome. International Journal of Scientific Development and Research, 10(9). https:\/\/www.ijsdr.org\/papers\/IJSDR2509032.pdf<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n[6] Aramesh, S., Alifarja, T., Jannesar, R. et al. Does vitamin D supplementation improve ovarian reserve in women with diminished ovarian reserve and vitamin D deficiency: a before-and-after intervention study. BMC Endocr Disord 21, 126 (2021). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12902-021-00786-7 <\/p>\n\n\n\n[7] Mathews DM, Johnson NP, Sim RG, O’Sullivan S, Peart JM, Hofman PL. Iodine and fertility: do we know enough? Hum Reprod. 2021 Jan 25;36(2):265-274. doi: 10.1093\/humrep\/deaa312. PMID: 33289034. <\/p>\n\n\n\n[8] Turathum, B., Gao, E.-M., & Chian, R.-C. (2021). The Function of Cumulus Cells in Oocyte Growth and Maturation and in Subsequent Ovulation and Fertilization. Cells, 10(9), 2292. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/cells10092292 <\/p>\n\n\n\n[9] Khudair A, Khudair A, Niinuma SA, Habib H, Butler AE. Beyond thyroid dysfunction: the systemic impact of iodine excess. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2025 Apr 2;16:1568807. doi: 10.3389\/fendo.2025.1568807. PMID: 40241991; PMCID: PMC11999837.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Un estudio sugiere que el yodo podr\u00eda mejorar la calidad de los \u00f3vulos","protected":false},"author":149,"featured_media":24330,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5392,5356,5316],"tags":[4163,4496],"class_list":{"0":"post-24329","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-fitness-and-nutrition","8":"category-the-facts-about-ivf","9":"category-trying-to-conceive","10":"tag-fertility","11":"tag-iodine","12":"cs-entry","13":"cs-video-wrap"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n