Follicular development process

The female hormone in the female body is an important factor in promoting the development of follicles, and the state of follicle development is different in each time period. However, only after the follicle gradually develops and grows to a certain size can it rupture into an egg and promote the release of the egg. However, most women don’t know much about the development process of follicles. Today’s article will explain the development process of follicles to female friends.

The foundation of a woman's reproductive function is laid during the fetal period.

All the egg cells in a woman's life are proliferated and formed during the fetal period; however, the egg cells at this time are immature and are called oocytes. Each oocyte is surrounded by a layer of primitive follicular cells, called granulosa cells, which together form the primitive follicle, the primordial follicle. These primordial follicles continue to grow and develop in batches from the fetal period to throughout a woman's life, but the vast majority of them decline, atrophy and die soon after they begin to develop. Only after puberty do some primordial follicles develop and mature.

During childbearing age, generally speaking, only one follicle matures in each menstrual cycle. Although many follicles may develop at the same time, most of them wither and die before they mature. One of the follicles continues to develop, regulated by hormones from the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain. At this time, the structure of the follicle becomes more and more complex. The oocyte in the center of the follicle gradually grows, and some cells around the follicle also differentiate and form theca cells. As the follicles develop, theca cells and granulosa cells work together to secrete estrogen to maintain the growth of the endometrium. A cavity gradually forms between the granulosa cells and is filled with fluid called follicular fluid. The cells around the oocyte also secrete a substance called mucopolysaccharide, which forms a circle around the oocyte called the zona pellucida. The oocyte develops and matures under the close protection of the zona pellucida, follicular fluid and countless surrounding cells.

The mature follicle not only increases in size and the amount of follicular fluid increases, but the entire follicle gradually moves to the surface of the ovary. At this time, the diameter of the follicle can reach 16 to 20 mm, which is called a mature follicle. At this time, the mature follicles, regulated by hormones, are about to enter the next stage - the ovulation process.