Growth, Development, and Function of the Ovarian Follicle Flashcards
The neurovascular components are concentrated in which portion of the Ovary?
Medulla
List the different stages that are involved in the development of Ovarian Follicles. (7)
- Resting Primordial Follicle
- Growing Preantral (Primary/Secondary) Follicle
- Growing Antral (Tertiary) Follicle
- Dominant (preovulatory, graafian) Follicle
- Dominant Follicle within the Periovulatory Period
- Corpus Luteum (of menstruation or of pregnancy)
- Atretic Follicles (degenerate before coming to maturity)
Describe the structure of the Primordial Follicle.
- This is the Ovarian Reserve of Follicles
- Consists of Primary OOCYTE with a SINGLE layer of pregranulosa cells
- Granulosa Cells will provide nutrients to developing oocytes
Which hormone is important for making sure that there are not TOO many Primordial Follicles are developed.
Anti-Mullerian Hormone
What happens to the Primordial Follicles when you smoke?
It will deplete the Ovarian Reserve!
How many Primordial Follicles are going to go through ovulation?
About 450
What is happening with the Gamete in the Primordial Follicle Stage?
Oocyte is arrested in PROPHASE I
Describe the Endocrine function of the Primordial Follicle.
- NO Endocrine Function
- Will release Paracrine Factors
What is the Pleitrophy of the Primary Oocyte?
4N (Diplotene)
Describe the Structure of the Growing Preantral Follicle.
- Cuboidal Granulosa Cells (Primary Follicle)
- Stratified Epithelium around Oocyte (Secondary Follicle)
- Secondary Follicle is going to release paracrine factors that induce differentiation of Thecal Cells
- Secondary Follicle will secrete angiogenic factors that will bring vascular supply to the developing follicle
What is happening with the Gamete in the Growing Preantral Follicle Stage?
- Oocyte begins to grow
- Secretes ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3 that will form the zona pellucida
- Granulosa cells and the oocyte project cellular extensions through the zona pellucida to maintain gap junction contacts
Which type of receptors are Thecal and Granulosa Cells going to express?
Thecal Cells: LH Receptors
Granulosa Cells: FSH Receptors
Describe the Endocrine function of the Preantral Follicle.
DO NOT produce ovarian hormones at this stage
What is the major product of the Thecal Cells? Why?
Androstenedione
Thecal cells do not express high levels of 17B-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase
Describe the structures associated with the Growing Antral Follicles.
- Fluid spaces appear between cells and flow into the antrum
- Mural and Cumulus Granulosa Cells appear