Softening aging ovaries could help extend fertility as women get older

Fertility declines as women get older for many reasons, such as a drop in egg quality, decreased follicle numbers and hardening of ovarian tissues.

That's a problem for would-be mothers in many countries who prefer to have their children later in life, often in their 30s and 40s.

Current treatments for infertility include hormone therapy and in vitro fertilization (IVF), which primarily focus on treating hormonal imbalances and helping eggs mature or be fertilized. ...