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Chapter 1 - The Ovary: A General Overview of Follicle Formation and Development

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 November 2022

By
Mark A. Fenwick
Edited by
Rachel Cutting  and
Mostafa Metwally
Rachel Cutting
Affiliation:
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, London
Mostafa Metwally
Affiliation:
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and the University of Sheffield
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Summary

This chapter provides a summary of human ovarian physiology. The reader is introduced to basic concepts of sex determination, in particular how primordial germ cells and somatic cells differentiate and multiply to establish the reserve of primordial follicles. Key molecular and cellular events associated with primordial and preantral stages of follicle development are described. The chapter then provides an overview of antral follicle development, which is subdivided to consider the morphological changes and the role of granulosa and theca cells in steroidogenesis, along with development of the oocyte. The changes that occur as the follicle matures towards ovulation are also considered, in particular the fundamental role of hormones, cumulus expansion and resumption of meiosis. Finally, establishment and maintenance of the corpus luteum is briefly discussed. Diagrams of steroidogenesis and an overview of follicle formation and development are provided to supplement the text.

Type
Chapter
Information
Manual of Oocyte Retrieval and Preparation in Human Assisted Reproduction , pp. 1 - 9
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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References

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