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1. Primordial follicle (primary oocyte)
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formed prenatally
diploid, prophase I
resumes meiosis on individual basis when ovulated
granulosa cells undergo hypertrophy and proliferate under influence of local growth factors
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2. Unilaminar Primary Follicle
characterized by cuboidal granulosa
3. Multilaminar Primary Follicle
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zona pellicuda: glycoproteins, barrier to autoimmunity
FSH-R-deficient females show a block in folliculogenesis before antral follicle formation
4. Secondary/Antral Follicle
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develops under FSH control (10-20 formed per cycle)
granulosa cells secrete follicular liquor to antrum (similar to plasma - polysaccharides, steroid binding proteins, inhibin, follistatin (inhibits FSH))
cumuls oophorus starts to form - see next
characterized by antrum
5. Mature Graffian Follicle
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granulosa = avascular
theca = vascular
cumulusoophorus = ova + zona pellucida
corona radiata: layer of granulosa cells immediately around ova
theca: highly vascular, secrete androgens, which are converted to estrogens by granulosa cells (more and more as grows)
the mature graffian follicle is the largest follicle
increased estrogen --> decreased FSH --> increased LH --> ovulation
LH induces completion of first meiotic division - forms first polar body and secondary oocyte
then second meiotic division --> stops at metaphase (diploid)
Follicular Cycle
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6. Corpus Hemorrhagicus
ovulation occurs
walls of follicle collapse, ruptures capillaries in theca interna
7. Corpus Luteum
granulosa cells secrete follistatin and inhibin --> decrease FSH
LH stimulates transformation into luteal cells
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granulosa luteal cells - secrete progesterone, convert androgens to estrogen
theca luteal cells - secrete progesterone and androgens
corpus luteum gets larger until 9th day after ovulation --> more progesterone secreted --> decreased LH by negative feedback
if no pregnancy, decreased LH --> corpus luteum degenerates
if pregnancy, corpus luteum continues to enlarge (via HCG)
8. Corpus Albicans
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corpus luteum invaded by fibroblasts, type I collagen fibers from scar
scar slowly contracts
9. Atretic Follicle
degenerating follicle, forms small connective tissue scar
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