hat eggs released by older women are more likely to be abnormal, which has been attributed to the eggs themselves being older. But the problems could instead be the result of aging of the germline stem cells that produce the oocytes. If these stem cells could be identified and isolated, a whole new set of options for treating or preventing infertility might open up.

"These are basic biological findings that may change everything in our field," Tilly says. "Although there's no way to say how long it may take for these findings to actually affect the care of patients, we're very excited about the new set of scientific questions we have to investigate."

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Contact: Sue McGreevey
smcgreevey@partners.org
617-724-2764
Massachusetts General Hospital
10-Mar-2004

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