Recent progress in the treatment of women with diminished ovarian reserve

Abstract Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) refers to a decrease in the number and/or quality of oocytes in the ovary, accompanied by a decline in reproductive potential, which is generally related to advanced age or ovarian disease. In in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinical practice, managing patients with DOR remains one of the most challenging tasks. In recent years, increased research on improving ovarian function has provided us with new insights into treating patients with DOR. Many therapeutic options have been proposed to improve the ovarian function of patients with DOR, yet they are not widely utilized in clinical practice because of limited evidence of safety and effectiveness. In this review, we focus on the mechanisms from animal models and clinical trials that have been applied to the treatment of DOR in recent years, intending to improve IVF outcomes in patients with DOR. Furthermore, new insights and perspectives on the molecular and cellular regulation of follicular development and ovarian reserve are emphasized to provide more clues for research on the treatment of DOR.