Ovarian Follicles
Medulla contains blood vessels and nerves. Cortex is occupied by developing follicles.
Development of follicles stimulated by production of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) by anterior pituitary gland.
Oestrogen is secreted by developing follicular cells and estrogen stimulate ovulation.
Structure of Mature Ovum
Structure of ovum consist;
1. Zona granulosa
2. Antrum
3. Corona radiata
4. Zona pellucida
5. Oocyte
Stages of Follicular Development
1. Follicular stage
2. Luteal stage
1. Follicular stage
Oogonia (female germ cell) – follicle formation – primary (form zona pellucida)- follicle growth – secondary (graafian follicle, both zona pellucida and corona radiata, form antrum)- Preovulation – Ovulation
2. Luteal stage
Ovulation – corpus leuteum – corpus albicans
1,2,3,4,5 (menses) 6,7,8,9,10,11,12 (proliferative phase) 13,14,15 (ovulation) 16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28 (secretory phase)
If the fertilization occur, after 6-7 days hCG level found in blood and urine. hCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin hormone) released by placenta during pregnancy.
hCG hormone stimulate corpus luteum to stimulate to produce progesterone to maintain pregnancy.
Preantral phase- Antral phase – Preovulatory phase- ovulation – secretory phase
