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Related Concept Videos

Folliculogenesis01:20

Folliculogenesis

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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...
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Oogenesis01:22

Oogenesis

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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...
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Oogenesis02:07

Oogenesis

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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...
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Ovarian Cycle01:27

Ovarian Cycle

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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...
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Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle01:30

Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle

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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...
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Ovaries01:26

Ovaries

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The ovaries are roughly the size of almonds and measure approximately 2 to 3 centimeters in length. These paired structures are situated within the pelvic region and are anchored by the mesovarium—a peritoneal extension that also connects them to the wider structure of the broad ligament. The support system extends to the suspensory ligament, housing blood and lymphatic vessels. In addition, the ovarian ligament tethers the ovaries to the uterus.
On the ovarian surface, a layer of...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Production and Use of Customizable Agarose Molds for Scaffold-Free Mouse Ovarian Follicle Culture
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Production and Use of Customizable Agarose Molds for Scaffold-Free Mouse Ovarian Follicle Culture

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Ovarian Folliculogenesis.

Nitzan Rimon-Dahari1, Lia Yerushalmi-Heinemann1, Liat Alyagor1

  • 1Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.

Results and Problems in Cell Differentiation
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Summary

The ovary produces germ cells and hormones. Ovarian follicle development involves complex signaling, from primordial follicles to ovulation, culminating in corpus luteum formation for pregnancy.

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Endocrinology
  • Developmental biology

Background:

  • The ovary is crucial for female reproduction, producing germ cells and steroid hormones.
  • Ovarian follicle development begins with primordial germ cells (PGCs) forming primordial follicles (PMFs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the developmental stages and regulatory mechanisms of ovarian follicles.
  • To highlight the roles of cell-cell communication and signaling molecules in folliculogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of established knowledge on ovarian development and folliculogenesis.
  • Description of key cellular and molecular events throughout follicle maturation.

Main Results:

  • PGCs migrate and proliferate to form germ cell nests, differentiating into PMFs with oocytes arrested in meiosis.
  • Follicle development progresses through stages (pre-antral, antral) regulated by intra/extra-oocyte factors and growth factors like TGF-β.
  • Hormonal regulation by FSH and LH is critical for antral follicle development, ovulation, and corpus luteum formation.

Conclusions:

  • Ovarian follicle development is a tightly regulated multistep process essential for female fertility.
  • Bidirectional communication between oocytes and somatic cells, alongside hormonal cues, orchestrates folliculogenesis and ovulation.