Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 56, 1022-1031, Copyright © 1983 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Follicular development during the luteal phase of the human menstrual cycle

KP McNatty, SG Hillier, AM van den Boogaard, TC Trimbos-Kemper, LE Reichert Jr and EV van Hall

The aims of the present studies were to determine the number, size range, health, and steroidogenic activities of antral follicles in normal human ovaries during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Steroidogenic activity was assessed from the levels of androstenedione, testosterone, and estradiol in follicular fluid and the levels of extant and FSH-stimulable aromatase activity and FSH-stimulable progestin synthesis in the granulosa cells. Data for luteal phase ovaries were compared to those obtained for ovaries from the late follicular phase. On average, 94% (range, 70-100%) of the luteal phase follicles (greater than or equal to 1 mm diameter) were atretic as assessed by oocyte viability and granulosa cell number. The largest healthy follicles during the mid- to late luteal phase were 4-4.5 mm in diameter; these contained high levels of aromatizable androgen (500- 2000 ng/ml), low levels of estradiol (less than 10 ng/ml), and granulosa cells with an extant level of aromatase activity 200 times lower than that in a preovulatory follicle. Based on these biochemical criteria, healthy (luteal phase) follicles were not distinguishable from atretic follicles. Granulosa cells from the luteal phase follicles were responsive to FSH with respect to progesterone and estradiol biosynthetic activity; the aromatase system in the cells from the mid- to late luteal phase follicles was significantly more responsive to FSH than that in cells from late follicular or early luteal phase follicles (P less than 0.05). These data suggest that the number of healthy luteal phase follicles (greater than or equal to 1 mm diameter) available for subsequent preovulatory development is limited.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. R. Baerwald, G. P. Adams, and R. A. Pierson Characterization of Ovarian Follicular Wave Dynamics in Women Biol Reprod, September 1, 2003; 69(3): 1023 - 1031. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. J. Zeleznik Follicle Selection in Primates: ""Many Are Called but Few Are Chosen"" Biol Reprod, September 1, 2001; 65(3): 655 - 659. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. I. Williams, A. L. Caston-Balderrama, D. L. Helmreich, D. B. Parfitt, C. Nosbisch, and J. L. Cameron Longitudinal Changes in Reproductive Hormones and Menstrual Cyclicity in Cynomolgus Monkeys during Strenuous Exercise Training: Abrupt Transition to Exercise-Induced Amenorrhea Endocrinology, June 1, 2001; 142(6): 2381 - 2389. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Y. K. Yong, K. J. Thong, R. Andrew, B. R. Walker, and S. G. Hillier Development-Related Increase in Cortisol Biosynthesis by Human Granulosa Cells J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., December 1, 2000; 85(12): 4728 - 4733. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				N. A. Cataldo, D. A. Dumesic, P. C. Goldsmith, and R. B. Jaffe Immunolocalization of Fas and Fas ligand in the ovaries of women with polycystic ovary syndrome: relationship to apoptosis Hum. Reprod., September 1, 2000; 15(9): 1889 - 1897. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. C. Cobo, A. Requena, F. Neuspiller, M. Aragones, A. Mercader, J. Navarro, C. Simon, J. Remohi, and A. Pellicer Maturation in vitro of human oocytes from unstimulated cycles: selection of the optimal day for ovum retrieval based on follicular size Hum. Reprod., July 1, 1999; 14(7): 1864 - 1868. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. Schipper, W. C. J. Hop, and B. C. J. M. Fauser The Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Threshold/Window Concept Examined by Different Interventions with Exogenous FSH during the Follicular Phase of the Normal Menstrual Cycle: Duration, Rather Than Magnitude, of FSH Increase Affects Follicle Development J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., April 1, 1998; 83(4): 1292 - 1298. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				B. C. J. M. Fauser and A. M. van Heusden Manipulation of Human Ovarian Function: Physiological Concepts and Clinical Consequences Endocr. Rev., February 1, 1997; 18(1): 71 - 106. [Abstract] [Full Text]