Hallmarks of Human Small Antral Follicle Development: Implications for Regulation of Ovarian Steroidogenesis and Selection of the Dominant Follicle.

ABSTRACT: Regulation of human ovarian steroidogenesis differs from other species and precise knowledge on how human small antral follicles (hSAF) develop and acquire competence for continued growth and steroid output is still incomplete. The present study has characterized almost 1,000 normal hSAF collected in connection with cryopreservation of ovarian tissue for fertility preservation. The antral follicles (ranging from 3 to 13 mm) were generally aspirated from one ovary surgically removed during the natural cycle, and the follicular fluid (FF) and the granulosa cells (GC) were isolated and snap-frozen. In FF, the following hormones were measured: inhibin-B, inhibin-A, AMH, follistatin, PAPP-A, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and androstenedione. In GC, mRNA gene expressions using q-PCR wer

SUBMITTER: Kristensen SG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5770355 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature