The real deal, your eggs are more savvy than you are!

　　
　　In the world of reproductive medicine, the birth and growth of each egg is full of mystery. As a reproductive physician, I am often struck by the egg’s amazing intelligence and ability to choose. Today, let’s unravel the mystery of the egg and see how it can be even smarter than we are in the ‘race’ of fertility.

　　In the female reproductive system, the egg is undoubtedly the bright star. Although women only produce one egg per month, this scarcity doesn’t make the egg a cool one. On the contrary, Miss Egg is like a graceful dancer who knows how to attract her suitor, the sperm.
　　Instead of waiting quietly for the sperm to arrive, the study found that the egg actively releases chemicals that light a ‘beacon in the night’ for the sperm. These chemicals act like pheromones secreted by female moths, attracting male moths and guiding the sperm in the direction of the egg. In human female egg selection experiments, the number of sperm in the follicular fluid was almost 10 times higher than in the control solution, which proves the ‘guiding’ ability of the egg lady.
　　Once the sperm are attracted to the ‘light’ of the egg, the next step is the intense selection process. In this session, Miss Egg is a strict examiner, scrutinising the sperm in the vicinity. She not only examines the speed and strength of the sperm, but also assesses their genetic quality.
　　The follicular fluid not only attracts sperm, but also specifically selects them. This means that even though some sperm are fast, if they carry serious genetic defects, Miss Egg will still reject them without hesitation. This selection mechanism ensures that only those sperm that are strong, swift and genetically superior will have a chance to combine with the egg to form a fertilised egg.
　　This reverses our traditional perception of the random union of egg and sperm. It turns out that at the beginning of life, the egg has already demonstrated her shrewdness and pickiness. This also explains why some couples who have trouble trying to conceive naturally are able to conceive successfully after treatment with assisted reproductive technology. This is because during the process, doctors screen the best quality sperm and eggs for union, thus increasing the success rate of conception.
　　The egg lady is also smart in her choice of ‘mate’. Not every egg will prefer the sperm of the female’s chosen male partner. Biogenetically, the male that a woman falls in love with does not necessarily have the most suitable tadpoles for her eggs.
　　Some women may feel confused and helpless when faced with the problem of infertility. But in reality, this may have something to do with the ‘mate choice’ of the egg lady. She prefers to be alone (i.e. welcome the arrival of her great-aunt) rather than be forced to bond with a sperm she doesn’t like. This attitude of not settling for less, although sometimes leads to infertility problems, but also ensures the quality and legacy of life.

　　Interestingly, some infertile couples are able to conceive quickly with a new spouse after divorce. This may be due to the fact that the sperms of the new partner are more compatible with the ‘mate selection criteria’ of the egg lady. This reminds us that when choosing a partner, we should not only consider our personal feelings and preferences, but also the biocompatibility and genetic quality of both partners.
　　The selection preference of follicular fluid is not only reflected in the screening of sperm, but also in the regulation of sperm behaviour. For those sperm that are attractive, the follicular fluid will provide incentives to straighten their path, while for those sperm that are not preferred, the follicular fluid will perform ‘delaying magic’ to reduce their speed of movement.
　　This regulatory mechanism gives the egg greater initiative and choice in the fertilisation process. She can choose the sperm that best suits her preferences and needs. This ability to make shrewd and autonomous choices makes us marvel at the wonder and complexity of life.
　　Having learnt about the shrewdness and choice-making ability of Miss Egg, we cannot help but be filled with awe and emotion at the formation of life. The birth of every life is a miracle after a thousand choices. It is not only the union and inheritance of our parents, but also the result of Miss Egg’s careful selection among countless sperms.
　　Therefore, when we face the issue of fertility, we may as well pay more attention to our physical condition and genetic quality. At the same time, we should also respect the natural selection and law of life, and welcome the arrival of new life with a more open and tolerant mind. Let’s look forward to the miracle of every life together!