In this episode of the Love & Science Fertility Framework, Dr. Erica Bove explores the relationship between chronic inflammation and oocyte quality.

Chronic inflammation affects folliculogenesis, meiotic integrity, hormonal balance, immune signaling, and embryonic developmental competence. While acute inflammation is essential to physiologic processes like ovulation and implantation, persistent immune upregulation may disrupt reproductive outcomes.

Topics discussed include:

• How cytokines and oxidative stress affect egg maturation

• Inflammation and meiotic spindle abnormalities

• Smoking and DNA methylation changes in granulosa cells

• Insulin resistance and inflammatory signaling in PCOS

• GLP-1 medications and inflammatory pathway interruption

• Autoimmune disease and fertility outcomes

• Endometriosis and inflammatory pelvic microenvironments

• Ovarian fibrosis and follicular atresia

• The role of adipose tissue as an endocrine organ

• Diet, microbiome health, and anti-inflammatory nutrition

• CoQ10, vitamin D, and antioxidant support

Dr. Bove also discusses modifiable lifestyle factors that influence inflammatory signaling, including diet, exercise, smoking cessation, stress reduction, and sleep optimization.

Chronic inflammation represents both a risk factor and an opportunity — as many contributors are within our control.

This episode is part of Season 1 of The Love & Science Fertility Framework: The Biology Beneath the Surface — a clinical series examining the physiology that drives reproductive outcomes.

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As always, please keep in mind that this is my perspective and nothing in this podcast is medical advice.

If you found this conversation valuable, book a consult call with me using this link:

https://www.loveandsciencefertility.com/private-fertility-consult

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Please don’t let infertility have the final word. We are here to take the burden from you so that you can achieve your goal of building your family with confidence and compassion. I’m rooting for you always.

In Gratitude,

Dr. Erica Bove