Ovarian Follicle - PERLA Health

Ovarian Follicle

Ovarian follicles are fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries in which the egg cells are maturing. During every menstrual cycle, the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) leads to the activation and growth of several follicles in the ovary. One follicle becomes the dominant follicle which matures an egg up to the ovulation. When the ovulation happens, the follicle bursts and releases the egg from the ovary into the fallopian tubes. After ovulation, the follicle becomes a corpus luteum that secretes progesterone and estrogen.

Sources:

  1. Williams C.J. et al. Morphology and Physiology of the Ovary. Endotext. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK278951/ (accessed 8. August 2020)
  2. Feng, Y et al. CLARITY reveals dynamics of ovarian follicular architecture and vasculature in three-dimensions. Sci Rep 7, 44810 (2017). https://www.nature.com/articles/srep44810
  3. Baerwald A.R et al. Form and function of the corpus luteum during the human menstrual cycle. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2010 Jun 8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2882116/

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