Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Folliculogenesis01:20

Folliculogenesis

Folliculogenesis is the development of ovarian follicles, the specialized structures within the ovarian cortex where oogenesis, or egg development, occurs. This process is essential for female reproductive health and begins during fetal development when primordial follicles are formed. Each primordial follicle comprises a primary oocyte in the center, surrounded by a single layer of squamous pre-granulosa cells. These follicles remain dormant in late prophase I of meiosis until triggered by...
Oogenesis02:07

Oogenesis

In human women, oogenesis produces one mature egg cell or ovum for every precursor cell that enters meiosis. This process differs in two unique ways from the equivalent procedure of spermatogenesis in males. First, meiotic divisions during oogenesis are asymmetric, meaning that a large oocyte (containing most of the cytoplasm) and minor polar body are produced as a result of meiosis I, and again following meiosis II. Since only oocytes will go on to form embryos if fertilized, this unequal...
Oogenesis01:22

Oogenesis

Oogenesis,  the process of developing egg cells (female gametes), occurs within the ovaries and is fundamental to female fertility. This sequence begins during fetal development when diploid oogonia in the developing ovaries undergo mitotic divisions to produce primary oocytes. By birth, these primary oocytes enter prophase I of meiosis but become arrested in this stage, remaining suspended until puberty.
Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a layer of pre-granulosa cells, forming what is known...
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle01:30

Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle

The ovarian cycle is meticulously regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This cycle orchestrates the release of a mature oocyte, essential for reproduction.
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle.  At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
Ovarian Cycle01:27

Ovarian Cycle

The menstrual cycle includes a critical component known as the ovarian cycle, which undergoes two main phases each month—the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The follicular phase is variable and averaging around 14 days. Ovulation, triggered by a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), marks the transition between the two phases. The second phase, the luteal phase, is relatively consistent, lasting approximately 14 days, and is marked by the activity of the corpus luteum. While a cycle length...
Nondisjunction01:21

Nondisjunction

Nondisjunction is the failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate correctly and move to the opposite poles of the cells. This produces daughter cells with abnormal chromosome numbers.  Nondisjunction is common during anaphase I or anaphase II of meiosis.  Mutations in synaptonemal complex proteins that attach homologous chromosomes increase the chances of nondisjunction in anaphase I of meiosis I. In contrast, mutations in topoisomerases and condensins that hold sister...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Metformin improves endotoxemia and alters folliculogenesis in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Endocrine connections·2026
Same author

VGLL1 contributes to both the transcriptome and epigenome of the developing trophoblast compartment.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025
Same author

VGLL1 contributes to both the transcriptome and epigenome of the developing trophoblast compartment.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2025
Same author

Stem cell-based embryo models: The 2021 ISSCR stem cell guidelines revisited.

Stem cell reports·2025
Same author

An extended wave of global mRNA deadenylation sets up a switch in translation regulation across the mammalian oocyte-to-embryo transition.

Cell reports·2024
Same author

Molecular profiling of human blastocysts reveals primitive endoderm defects among embryos of decreased implantation potential.

Cell reports·2024
Same journal

Female-specific metabolic genetic liability reveals a separable metabolic dimension of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Molecular and cellular endocrinology·2026
Same journal

The kisspeptin analog C6 elicits greater tachyphylaxis and transcriptional activation than kisspeptin-10 and -54.

Molecular and cellular endocrinology·2026
Same journal

G1 regulation of BK<sub>Ca</sub> channel leads to decreased migration of senescent pericytes and improved age-related hearing loss.

Molecular and cellular endocrinology·2026
Same journal

Maternal butyrate administration ameliorates fetal fatty liver and maternal metabolic alterations related to maternal obesity.

Molecular and cellular endocrinology·2026
Same journal

Sulforaphane preserves hepatocellular metabolic regulation and organelle integrity in a model of diet-induced obesity.

Molecular and cellular endocrinology·2026
Same journal

Patient-derived eutopic and ectopic endometrial stromal cells: characterization and development of immortalized lines.

Molecular and cellular endocrinology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

The Utility of Stage-specific Mid-to-late Drosophila Follicle Isolation
08:44

The Utility of Stage-specific Mid-to-late Drosophila Follicle Isolation

Published on: December 2, 2013

Disordered follicle development.

R Jeffrey Chang1, Heidi Cook-Andersen

  • 1Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0633, United States. rjchang@ucsd.edu

Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
|August 10, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) causes abnormal ovarian follicle development and function. These changes impact fertility and hormone production, with unclear underlying mechanisms.

More Related Videos

Collection of Human Follicular Fluid, Follicle Somatic Cells, and Immature Oocytes from Individuals Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization
06:40

Collection of Human Follicular Fluid, Follicle Somatic Cells, and Immature Oocytes from Individuals Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization

Published on: October 24, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 19, 2026

The Utility of Stage-specific Mid-to-late Drosophila Follicle Isolation
08:44

The Utility of Stage-specific Mid-to-late Drosophila Follicle Isolation

Published on: December 2, 2013

Collection of Human Follicular Fluid, Follicle Somatic Cells, and Immature Oocytes from Individuals Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization
06:40

Collection of Human Follicular Fluid, Follicle Somatic Cells, and Immature Oocytes from Individuals Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization

Published on: October 24, 2025

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive endocrinology
  • Ovarian physiology
  • PCOS research

Background:

  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by documented alterations in ovarian follicle morphology and function.
  • Key features include increased preantral follicles, arrested growth, granulosa cell degeneration, and theca cell hyperplasia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying altered ovarian follicle function in PCOS.
  • To identify factors influencing follicle development and steroidogenesis in PCOS.

Main Methods:

  • Morphological analysis of ovarian follicles.
  • Functional assessment of granulosa and theca cells.
  • Investigation of intra- and extraovarian influences on ovarian function.

Main Results:

  • PCOS exhibits increased preantral follicles and impaired growth beyond the mid-antral stage.
  • Granulosa cells show paradoxical hyperresponsiveness to FSH, linked to ovarian hyperstimulation.
  • A primary theca cell defect is implicated in excess androgen production.

Conclusions:

  • Altered follicle morphology and function in PCOS are multifactorial.
  • Intra- and extraovarian factors disrupt normal ovarian growth and steroidogenesis.
  • Further research is needed to fully clarify the mechanisms of PCOS-related ovarian dysfunction.