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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).
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 ...
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.
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 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.
These cuboidal granulosa cells, also known as the granulosa radiata, form more layers throughout the maturation process, and remain attached to the zona pellucida after the ovulation of the 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.
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.