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Updated: May 22, 2026

Whole Ovary Immunofluorescence, Clearing, and Multiphoton Microscopy for Quantitative 3D Analysis of the Developing Ovarian Reserve in Mouse
Published on: September 3, 2021
Changes of the normal ovary during menstrual cycle in reproductive age on the diffusion-weighted image
Nobuko Morisawa1, Aki Kido, Takashi Koyama
1Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan. nobuko@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Objective:
The objective of this study was to investigate changes in magnetic resonance findings of the normal ovary during menstrual cycle on diffusion-weighted image (DWI).
Methods:
Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 9 healthy females at the menstrual, periovulatory, and luteal phases using a 1.5-T unit. Signal intensity (SI) of the ovary on DWI with a b value of 1000 s/mm was visually scored. The ovary-to-muscle contrast ratios on DWI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were also evaluated.
Results:
All the ovaries were identified, and higher SI than the nerve root was identified in 70% (38/54) of the ovaries, although visual scores did not show significant difference among menstrual phases. The mean ADC values (10 mm/s) were 1.71 (SD, 0.27), 1.71 (SD, 0.22), and 1.67 (SD, 0.19) in menstrual, periovulatory, and luteal phases, respectively. No phase-dependent change was observed in contrast ratios and ADC values.
Conclusion:
The normal ovary in fertile period shows high SI enough to be identified on DWI, and observed values are independent of the menstrual cycle.
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