Question

Rachel attained puberty at the age of fourteen years. She conceived for the first time at the age of thirty years. How many primary oocytes did she lose till the time of conception?

Answer 1

At birth, a female has about 1-2 million primary oocytes.

By puberty, approximately 60,000 to 80,000 primary follicles (containing primary oocytes) are left in each ovary.

Each month, about 1000 oocytes degenerate, but only one oocyte matures and is released during ovulation.

From age 14 to 30 = 16 years

Number of oocytes lost = 1000 oocytes × 12 months × 16 years

= 1,92,000 oocytes