Dr. Liz Bartman

Did you know? An oocyte contains more mitochondria than any other cell type. The average oocyte contains 100-600,000 mitochondria, compared to about 5,000 in a heart cell. Mitochondrial support is preconception care!
Preconception care with an emphasis on both egg and sperm quality can help support fertility, improve pregnancy outcomes, and decrease risk of miscarriage.
Preconception Care: Supporting Egg and Sperm Quality
Optimizing Egg Quality
- Emphasis on mitochondrial health and antioxidant support
- Serum lab testing can uncover clues about ovarian quality such as elevated cycle day 3 estradiol or follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Environmental toxin exposure can negatively impact egg quality and increase estrogen dominance and oxidative stress burden.
- It can take up to 12 months for a follicle to be ovulated, so preconception care should start early!
Optimizing Sperm Quality
- Over aromatization can decrease testosterone and increase estrogen, which can negatively impact sperm quality.
- Increased inflammation and oxidative stress can damage sperm quality
- Blood sugar imbalance and insulin resistance can damage sperm quality
- Heavy metals readily accumulate in sperm and can significantly impact sperm quality and quantity
- Sperm are continuously made, and lifestyle interventions can change sperm parameters within 3 months!