Throughout ovarian development and function in mammals, a highly orchestrated, periodic process known as follicular atresia occurs that destroys and eliminates follicles and oocytes from the ovary. Follicular atresia is pervasive. In humans, it is estimated to account for 99.9% of the loss of oocytes from development of the fetal ovary until reproductive senescence (Baker, 1963; Faddy et al., 1...

BACKGROUND Fat-rich diet may alter oocyte development and maturation and embryonic development by inducing oxidative stress (OS) in follicular environment. OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between fat intake and oxidative stress with oocyte competence and embryo quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS In observational study follicular fluid was collected from 236 women undergoing assisted r...

Ovarian follicular growth and development are regulated by extraovarian and intraovarian factors, which influence granulosa cell proliferation and differentiation. However, the molecular mechanisms that drive follicular growth are not completely understood. Ovarian follicular cysts are one of the most common causes of reproductive failure in dairy cattle. Nevertheless, the primary cause of cyst...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between serum concentrations of inhibin A, inhibin B and estradiol (E(2)) and the number of developing follicles during the administration of exogenous follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in various regimens in normo-ovulatory volunteers and to evaluate if inhibins act as suitable markers for the number of developing follicles during ovarian stimulation....

Acne vulgaris is a multifactorial disease of as yet incompletely elucidated etiology and pathogenesis. The following have been identified as the most significant factors: follicular hyperkeratosis, increased sebum secretion, Propionibacterium (P.) acnes, and inflammation. Increased sebum production and follicular hyperkeratosis result in the development of microcomedones, and changes in follicu...

PROBLEM We tested the hypothesis that developing ovarian follicles produce factors inhibiting the endotoxin induced inflammatory response. METHOD OF STUDY Pseudopregnant rats were treated with FSH to induced follicular development (FSH-rats). For control we used untreated pseudopregnant rats (PSP-rats) and rats in the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle (C-rats). All rats were infused with ...