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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 ...
Follicular phase diagram of hormones and their origins Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland (Figure 2). FSH secretion begins to rise in the last few days of the previous menstrual cycle, [ 3 ] and is the highest and most important during the first week of the follicular phase [ 4 ] (Figure 1).
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. [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.
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 ]
As the follicle matures, the area between the follicle and the ovarian surface begins to thin and weaken under the influence of the luteinizing hormone and local cytokines. At ovulation the stigma ruptures and the secondary oocyte is released along with surrounding granulosa cells, from the region of the cumulus oophorus, and follicular fluid.
The cumulus-oocyte complex contains layers of tightly packed cumulus cells surrounding the oocyte in the Graafian follicle. The oocyte is arrested in Meiosis II at the stage of metaphase II and is considered a secondary oocyte. Before ovulation, the cumulus complex goes through a structural change known as cumulus expansion. The granulosa cells ...
The labels in the folliculogenesis diagram (Folliclesinovary.jpg) are incorrect - they have been reversed. The arrow is pointing in the wrong direction "Corpus albicans" should be "Primary follicle" "Mature corpus luteum" should be "Secondary follicle" "Corpus luteum" should be "Graafian follicle" or "Mature vesicular follicle" etc.