Normal human follicle development: an evaluation of correlations with oestradiol, androstenedione and progesterone levels in individual follicles

摘要: OBJECTIVE The mechanism of dominant follicle selection remains obscure.We have investigated the association between diameter and follicular steroid levels in individual human ovarian follicles throughout menstrual cycle. DESIGN Fluid from (n = 326) was obtained vivo during surgery 55 regularly cycling women with proven fertility. Follicles were divided into (diameter > 9 mm, n = 45) non-dominant ≤ 9 mm, n = 281) based on ultrasound measurements. MEASUREMENTS Fluid assayed for oestradiol (E2), androstenedione (AD), progesterone (P). RESULTS Median P E2 significantly lower (P < 0.0001) AD higher (P = 0.03) as compared to follicles. In (r = 0.14, P = 0.02), but not E2, correlated diameter, significant changes concentrations across cycle absent. follicles, positively (P < 0.001) levels, inversely (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Results indicate that (1) intrafollicular rise only exceeding 9 mm correlate these suggesting increase aromatase enzyme activity occurs (2) a cycle-independent accumulation andro-stenedione size (3) production largest only, limited, if any, role development.