This article describes animal and laboratory research. It is not fertility advice, not medical advice, and not proof of effect in humans.
Short answer: does NMN improve egg quality?
In mouse and pig studies, NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) improved several measures of egg quality, such as mitochondrial activity, chromosome distribution, and embryo development. This has not been demonstrated in humans: there are no clinical studies showing that NMN supplementation improves egg quality, fertility, or IVF outcomes in women. The research is interesting for understanding cellular aging, but it is not a basis for promises regarding pregnancy.
What is NMN and what does it have to do with eggs?
NMN is a direct precursor to NAD+, a molecule required in almost every cell for energy production in the mitochondria, DNA repair, and stress response. NAD+ levels decline with age. Would you like to read through the basics first? In Everything about NMN explained and on the page how NMN works, we explain how NMN is converted into NAD+ in the body.
Eggs (oocytes) are remarkably sensitive to aging. An egg is created before birth and remains in a resting phase for years, only undergoing its final divisions during maturation and ovulation. Furthermore, they contain many mitochondria because maturation, fertilization, and the first embryonic divisions require a lot of energy. With age, mitochondrial function decreases in animal and cell models, oxidative stress increases, and the distribution of chromosomes during cell division more often goes wrong. These exact processes are linked to NAD+, which is why scientists are investigating whether supplementing NAD+ precursors like NMN can change this.
What the research in animal and cell models showed
A widely cited study in Cell Reports (2020) by Miao and colleagues investigated older female mice. According to the authors, NMN supplementation restored NAD+ levels and improved the ovulation of older eggs, their maturation (meiotic competence), and their fertilization capacity. Transcriptome analysis indicated restored mitochondrial function and less oxidative stress, resulting in less cell death (apoptosis) in the older eggs. You can read the summary via ScienceDirect.
Other research groups also looked into this topic. A study in mice describes the production and assessment of high-quality oocytes and embryos after NMN administration. Another study investigated NMN in pig eggs, an animal model that is closer to humans in terms of egg size than the mouse. A recent publication in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology examines the developmental capacity of eggs in various forms of ovarian damage, and a study in MedComm (2024) describes the effects of NMN on mitochondrial and energy metabolism functions and inflammatory processes in the ovaries of aging mice.
Overall, in these studies, researchers saw that NMN increased NAD(H) levels in eggs, improved mitochondrial activity, and reduced chromosomal abnormalities during cell division. Treated eggs in the animal model studied more often developed into blastocysts after in vitro fertilization. This fits the broader picture that NAD+ metabolism plays a role in cellular aging, as we also describe in our article on NMN and DNA repair.
Why this does not translate directly to humans
Preclinical research is valuable for understanding biological mechanisms, but there are clear reasons why you cannot simply apply the results to humans.
First, reproductive biology differs significantly between species. Mice have a short lifespan, a different hormonal cycle, and ovulate multiple eggs at once. The dosages used in animal studies are often high and are sometimes given via injection or drinking water, where absorption and processing differ from a capsule for humans. Second, many studies measure outcomes in the laboratory, such as maturation rates or blastocyst formation, rather than whether they actually result in healthy pregnancies and births. Third, many factors play a role in human fertility that do not occur in an animal model: the age of both partners, hormonal status, fallopian tubes, uterine quality, lifestyle, and underlying conditions.
Therefore, the following applies: there are currently no clinical studies demonstrating that NMN supplementation in women improves egg quality, fertility, or IVF outcomes. Statements about “more efficient IVF procedures” or application for PCOS cannot be substantiated based on this research. Anyone making such claims is going further than science allows.
What we do and do not know about NMN in women
In humans, NMN has mainly been studied in other areas, such as NAD+ levels in the blood, muscle health, and insulin sensitivity. For example, in NMN and women, we discuss what is known about research in women, and in The science behind NMN, we provide an overview of recent developments. Research into the effects on eggs or fertility in humans is currently lacking.
Important to know: too little is known about the use of NMN during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or a fertility treatment to make any definitive statements. In those cases, please also read our page on NMN side effects and the NMN certificates of our products, and always discuss supplements with your doctor.
Frequently asked questions about NMN and egg quality
Can NMN improve my fertility?
That has not been proven. The positive results come from research in mice, pigs, and in the laboratory. There are no clinical studies in humans that confirm this.
What is the difference between NMN and NR for NAD+?
Both are NAD+ precursors, but they are converted via different pathways. An extensive comparison can be found in NMN versus NR. For NR as well, there is no evidence of effects on human fertility.
What dosage is used in research?
Animal studies use dosages that cannot be translated one-to-one to humans. For general information on the use of NMN as a dietary supplement, read NMN dosage. That is not advice for fertility.
Should I stop taking NMN if I want to get pregnant?
We cannot provide advice on that. There is insufficient research into NMN when trying to conceive, during pregnancy, or while breastfeeding. Discuss it with your GP, midwife, or fertility specialist. A related topic, NMN in breast milk, is discussed in NMN and baby development.
Conclusion
Preclinical research into NMN and cellular aging, including in reproductive cells, is an active field of study. In animal and cell models, improvements are seen in mitochondrial function, chromosome distribution, and embryonic development. However, the leap to human fertility has not yet been made. If you have questions about fertility or are undergoing fertility treatment, discuss supplement use with your doctor or fertility specialist.
If you want to use NMN for general support of energy and healthy aging, you can buy NMN or first check what to look for when buying NMN. Also, view our NMN products.
Sources: Miao Y. et al., Cell Reports (2020), “Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Supplementation Reverses the Declining Quality of Maternally Aged Oocytes”; PubMed 33532742; AJOG (2025); Liang et al., MedComm (2024).
