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In addition, follicles that have formed an antrum are called antral follicles or Graafian follicles. Definitions differ in where this shift occurs in the staging given above, with some stating that it occurs when entering the secondary stage, [ 2 ] and others stating that it occurs when entering the tertiary stage.
An antral or secondary follicle, also known as Graafian follicle and tertiary follicle, is an ovarian follicle during a certain latter stage of folliculogenesis. Definitions differ in where the shift into an antral follicle occurs in the staging of folliculogenesis, with some stating that it occurs when entering the secondary stage, [ 1 ] and ...
An ovarian follicle is a roughly spheroid cellular aggregation set found in the ovaries. It secretes hormones that influence stages of the menstrual cycle . At the time of puberty , women have approximately 200,000 to 300,000 follicles, [ 1 ] [ 2 ] each with the potential to release an egg cell (ovum) at ovulation for fertilization . [ 3 ]
Mural granulosa cells (MGC) line the follicular wall and surround the fluid-filled antrum. The oocyte secretes factors that determine the functional differences between CCs and MGCs. CCs primarily support growth and development of the oocyte whereas MGCs primarily serve an endocrine function and support the growth of the follicle.
The follicular phase, also known as the preovulatory phase or proliferative phase, [1] is the phase of the estrous cycle (or, in primates [2] for example, the menstrual cycle) during which follicles in the ovary mature from primary follicle to a fully mature graafian follicle.
The theca folliculi comprise a layer of the ovarian follicles. They appear as the follicles become secondary follicles. The theca are divided into two layers, the theca interna and the theca externa. [1] Theca cells are a group of endocrine cells in the ovary made up of connective tissue surrounding the follicle.
The Ovary by Reinier de Graaf Ectopic pregnancy by Reinier de Graaf, copied, as he acknowledged, from an earlier French publication by Vassal. De Graaf's position in the history of reproduction is unique, summarising the work of anatomists before his time, but unable to benefit from the advances about to be made by microscopy, although he reported its use by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in 1673.
As a follicle grows in size and the antrum develops, more layers of cumulus oophorus cells accumulate around the oocyte to aid in the acrosome reaction and sperm penetration into the oocyte. The proximity between the cumulus oophorus cells and the oocyte favors bidirectional communication, which is vital for oocyte development.