folliculogenesis
Sign in to saveAlthough the process is similar in many animals, this article will deal exclusively with human folliculogenesis. thumb|right|320px|Order of changes in ovary.1 - Menstruation2 - Developing follicle3 - Mature follicle4 - Ovulation5 - Corpus luteum6 - Deterioration of corpus luteum In biology, folliculogenesis is the maturation of the ovarian follicle, a densely packed shell of somatic cells that contains an immature oocyte. Folliculogenesis describes the progression of a number of small primordial follicles into large preovulatory follicles that occurs in part during the menstrual cycle.
Article
16 sectionsContents
- Overview
- Phases of development
- Primordial
- Primary
- Secondary
- Antrum formation
- Early tertiary
- Late tertiary and preovulatory (the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle)
- Ovulation and the corpus luteum
- Hormone function
- Number of follicles
- Depletion of the ovarian reserve
- See also
- Additional images
- References
- External links
Although the process is similar in many animals, this article will deal exclusively with human folliculogenesis. thumb|right|320px|Order of changes in ovary.1 - Menstruation2 - Developing follicle3 - Mature follicle4 - Ovulation5 - Corpus luteum6 - Deterioration of corpus luteum In biology, folliculogenesis is the maturation of the ovarian follicle, a densely packed shell of somatic cells that contains an immature oocyte. Folliculogenesis describes the progression of a number of small primordial follicles into large preovulatory follicles that occurs in part during the menstrual cycle.
Contrary to male spermatogenesis, which can last indefinitely, folliculogenesis ends when the remaining follicles in the ovaries are incapable of responding to the hormonal cues that previously recruited some follicles to mature. This depletion in follicle supply signals the beginning of menopause. Each cycle of folliculogenesis, for a follicle, lasts around 2 months and a half.