Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 31, 2026
Isolation of Small Preantral Follicles from the Bovine Ovary Using a Combination of Fragmentation, Homogenization, and Serial Filtration
Published on: September 27, 2022
Associations Between Antral Ovarian Follicle Dynamics and Hormone Production Throughout the Menstrual Cycle as Women
Heidi Vanden Brink1, David Mark Robertson1, Hyun Lim1
1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences (H.V.B., D.C., A.B.) and Clinical Research Support Unit (H.L., C.L.), College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 0W8; Hudson Institute of Medical Research (formally Monash Institute of Medical Research-Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research) (D.M.R., H.B.), Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (G.H.), University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, New South Wales, Australia.
Background:
The physiological origins of age-related changes in hormone production during the menstrual cycle are uncertain.
Objective:
The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that changes in antral follicle dynamics are associated with changes in hormone production as women age.
Methods:
A prospective, observational study was conducted in ovulatory women of midreproductive age (MRA; 18-35 y; n = 10) and advanced reproductive age (ARA; 45-55 y; n = 20). The numbers and diameters of all follicles of 2 mm or greater were quantified ultrasonographically every 1-3 days for one interovulatory interval; the growth profiles of individually identified follicles of 4 mm or greater were tabulated. Blood samples were assayed for FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, inhibin A and B, and anti-Mullerian hormone.
Results:
Fifty percent of women in both the MRA and ARA groups developed one to two luteal-phase dominant follicles (LPDFs). MRA women with typical LPDFs had greater luteal-phase inhibin B (44.2 vs 17.0 ng/L) and estradiol (91.3 vs 51.7 ng/L) compared with those without LPDFs (P < .05). Luteal-phase estradiol was greater (184 vs 79 ng/L), inhibin B was greater (25.3 vs 12.7 ng/L), and progesterone was lower (6.98 vs 13.8 μg/L) in ARA women with atypical vs no LPDFs (P < .01).
Conclusion:
Changes in antral follicle dynamics are associated with changes in hormone production as women age. The development of LPDFs in women of MRA was associated with elevated luteal-phase estradiol. A similar but exaggerated elevation in late luteal-early follicular-phase estradiol, accompanied by lower progesterone, was observed in ARA women with atypically large and persistent LPDFs.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
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...
01:22Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH...
01:27Ovarian Cycle
01:20Folliculogenesis
01:22Oogenesis
Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a layer of pre-granulosa cells, forming what is...
02:07Oogenesis