138 Relationships Between Antral Follicle Count, Ovarian Volume, Pre-Antral Follicle Number, and Oocyte Quality

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 209
Author(s):  
G. L. Vasconcelos ◽  
R. Maculan ◽  
N. Alves ◽  
A. L. A. P. L. Ribeiro ◽  
A. W. B. Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Follicle ◽  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Antral Follicle ◽  
Oocyte Quality ◽  
Antral Follicle Count ◽  
Primary Follicle ◽  
Ovarian Volume ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Antral Follicles ◽  
Grade 3

The objective was to evaluate the possible relationships between AFC, ovarian volume, ovarian follicle reserve and oocyte quality in abattoir-derived ovaries (experiment 1) and in cows (experiment 2) submitted to OPU. Antral follicle counts of ≥25, 16 to 24, and ≤ 16 were used to define AFC classes as high (HAFC), intermediate (IAFC), and low (LAFC) in both experiments. In experiment 1, after antral follicles were aspirated, abattoir ovaries (n = 10 per AFC class) were processed by conventional histology and pre-antral follicles were counted within primordial, primary, secondary, and tertiary classes and classified as either healthy or degenerate under regular microscopy (Cushman et al. 1999). In experiment 2, HAFC (n = 42), IAFC (n = 34), and LAFC (n = 29) cows were submitted to OPU and oocytes classified as grades 1, 2, and 3 or degenerate (IETS, 2010). Antral follicles (≥3 mm in diameter) were counted by ultrasonography. Data were analysed by GENMOD and GLM procedures of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) after transformations, when required. In experiment 1, mean normal primordial follicle number was higher (P < 0.001) in HAFC (137.0 ± 1.6)a compared with IAFC (52.6 ± 1.9)b and LAFC (20.2 ± 5.3)c ovaries. However, the mean number of degenerate primordial follicles was lower (P < 0.001) in low count ovaries (2.4 ± 0.6) compared with HAFC (19.0 ± 4.7) and IAFC (16.4 ± 1.5, P < 0.001). Normal primary follicle number was higher in the HAFC compared with IAFC and LAFC ovarian classes (86.2 ± 7.0a v. 34.6 ± 5.1b and 14.4 ± 3.3c, respectively; P < 0.01). Degenerate primary follicles were higher in the HAFC compared with LAFC ovarian class (16.8 ± 6.5 v. 5.2 ± 2.64; P < 0.05). Normal secondary follicle number was also higher in the HAFC compared to LAFC ovarian classes (25.2 ± 7.67 v. 2.4 ± 0.8; P < 0.05). The number of degenerate secondary follicles differed (P < 0.01) only between the IAFC and the LAFC ovarian classes (0.6 ± 0.4 and 7.2 ± 2.4, respectively), which were similar (P > 0.5) to the HAFC class (3.8 ± 1.0). In experiment 2, grade 1, 2, and 3 oocytes, viable oocytes, and ovarian volume (mm3) were higher (P < 0.001) in HAFC compared with IAFC and LAFC cows (grade 1: 7.9 ± 0.6a, 4.9 ± 0.7b and 3.3 ± 0.7c; grade 2: 4.0 ± 0.4a, 2.8 ± 0.4b and 1.2c; grade 3: 2.1 ± 0.4a, 2.5 ± 0.4a and 1.3 ± 0.5b, respectively; viable oocytes: 16.3 ± 1.1a, 13.1 ± 1.2b, and 8.1 ± 1.3c, respectively; (volumes: 12.6 ± 0.7a, 10.1 ± 0.8b, and 8.1 ± 0.9c, respectively). In conclusion, high AFC is linked to a higher follicular reserve, oocyte quality, and ovarian volume. It is safe to apply AFC in the selection of bovine females without compromising oocyte or pre-antral follicular population qualities.

265. Increased FSH activity increases primordial follicle reserve and enhances preovulatory follicle survival in transgenic FSH female mice

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
K. J. McTavish ◽  
K. A. Walters ◽  
D. J. Handelsman ◽  
C. M. Allan
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Follicle ◽  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Antral Follicle ◽  
Follicle Development ◽  
Preovulatory Follicle ◽  
Primary Follicle ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Female Mice ◽  
Depletion Rate ◽  
Reproductive Ageing

The mammalian female reproductive lifespan is determined by the depletion rate of the finite ovarian follicle reserve established before or shortly after birth. Follicle formation, initiation and early growth are thought to be independent of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), whereas antral follicle development requires FSH stimulation. Rising serum FSH is one of the earliest signs of reproductive ageing in women, coinciding with declining fecundity and an accelerated decline in remaining follicle reserves, but whether or not increased FSH plays a direct or feed-forward role in accelerating reproductive ageing remains undetermined. We previously described transgenic (Tg) mice with rising serum human FSH that produced larger litter sizes <20 weeks of age, then rapidly declining litter size from 20–40 weeks old (wo) culminating in premature infertility1. Despite declining fertility, ageing TgFSH females maintained ovulation rates ~3-fold higher than wt females. Follicle quantitation revealed that ovarian antral follicle numbers at diestrus were equivalent in 26 wo TgFSH and wt females. The elevated ovulation rates in TgFSH females may reflect increased preovulatory follicle survival during proestrus, as ~70% of large antral follicles go on to ovulate in TgFSH females, compared with only 30% in wt females. In contrast to the view that higher FSH may increase follicle development and consequently accelerate follicle depletion, examination of follicle reserve revealed that subfertile or infertile 26–52 wo TgFSH females exhibited increased total ovarian primordial follicle numbers (60%, P < 0.05) with no significant change in primary follicle numbers compared with age-matched wt females. Therefore, increased FSH activity appeared to act as a survival factor for primordial follicles. Our current analysis of increased FSH actions in female mice suggests that FSH may enhance the survival of both early (primordial) and late (preovulatory) follicle populations. (1) McTavish KJ et al. Endocrinology. 2007 Sep;148(9):4432–9.

scholarly journals Cytokine (IL16) and tyrphostin actions on ovarian primordial follicle development

Reproduction ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 148 (3) ◽  
pp. 321-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Feeney ◽  
Eric Nilsson ◽  
Michael K Skinner
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Ovarian Follicle ◽  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Cytokine Signaling ◽  
Follicle Development ◽  
Primary Follicle ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Network Analyses

An ovarian follicle is composed of an oocyte and surrounding theca and granulosa cells. Oocytes are stored in an arrested state within primordial follicles until they are signaled to re-initiate development by undergoing primordial-to-primary follicle transition. Previous gene bionetwork analyses of primordial follicle development identified a number of critical cytokine signaling pathways and genes potentially involved in the process. In the current study, candidate regulatory genes and pathways from the gene network analyses were tested for their effects on the formation of primordial follicles (follicle assembly) and on primordial follicle transition using whole ovary organ culture experiments. Observations indicate that the tyrphostin inhibitor (E)-2-benzylidene-3-(cyclohexylamino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one increased follicle assembly significantly, supporting a role for the MAPK signaling pathway in follicle assembly. The cytokine interleukin 16 (IL16) promotes primordial-to-primary follicle transition as compared with the controls, where as Delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4) and WNT-3A treatments have no effect. Immunohistochemical experiments demonstrated the localization of both the cytokine IL16 and its receptor CD4 in the granulosa cells surrounding each oocyte within the ovarian follicle. The tyrphostin LDN193189 (LDN) is an inhibitor of the bone morphogenic protein receptor 1 within the TGFB signaling pathway and was found to promote the primordial-to-primary follicle transition. Observations support the importance of cytokines (i.e., IL16) and cytokine signaling pathways in the regulation of early follicle development. Insights into regulatory factors affecting early primordial follicle development are provided that may associate with ovarian disease and translate to improved therapy in the future.

scholarly journals Proteomic Analysis of Fetal Ovaries Reveals That Primordial Follicle Formation and Transition Are Differentially Regulated

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengmeng Xu ◽  
Long Che ◽  
Zhenguo Yang ◽  
Pan Zhang ◽  
Jiankai Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Response ◽  
Molecular Mechanism ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Ovarian Follicle ◽  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Reproductive Organ ◽  
Primary Follicle ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Ovarian Follicle Development

Primordial follicle formation represents a critical phase of the initiation of embryonic reproductive organ development, while the primordial follicle transition into primary follicle determines whether oestrus or ovulation will occur in female animals. To identify molecular mechanism of new proteins which are involved in ovarian development, we employed 2D-DIGE to compare the protein expression profiles of primordial follicles and primary follicles of fetal ovaries in pigs. Fetal ovaries were collected at distinct time-points of the gestation cycle (g55 and g90). The identified proteins at the g55 time-point are mainly involved in the development of anatomical structures [reticulocalbin-1 (RCN1), reticulocalbin-3 (RCN3)], cell differentiation (actin), and stress response [heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (HNRNPK)]. Meanwhile, at the g90 stage, the isolated proteins with altered expression levels were mainly associated with cell proliferation [major vault protein (MVP)] and stress response [heat shock-related 70 kDa protein 2 (HSPA2)]. In conclusion, our work revealed that primordial follicle formation is regulated by RCN1, RCN3, actin, and HNRNPK, while the primordial follicle transformation to primary follicle is regulated by MVP and HSPA2. Therefore, our results provide further information for the prospective understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) involved in the regulation of the ovarian follicle development.

Relationship between anti-Müllerian hormone and antral follicle count across the menstrual cycle using the Beckman Coulter Access assay in comparison with Gen II manual assay

2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Schiffner ◽  
Judith Roos ◽  
David Broomhead ◽  
Joseph van Helden ◽  
Erhard Godehardt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Transvaginal Ultrasound ◽  
Ovarian Follicle ◽  
Antral Follicle ◽  
Antral Follicle Count ◽  
Cycle Number ◽  
Antral Follicles ◽  
Menstruating Women ◽  
Conversion Equation ◽  
Antral Follicle Counts

AbstractBackground:The study aim was to validate Beckman Coulter’s fully automated Access Immunoassay System (BC Access assay) for anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and compare it with Beckman Coulter’s Modified Manual Generation II assay (BC Mod Gen II), with regard to cycle AMH fluctuations and antral follicle counts.Methods:During one complete menstrual cycle, transvaginal ultrasound was performed on regularly menstruating women (n=39; 18–40years) every 2 days until the dominant ovarian follicle reached 16mm, then daily until observed ovulation; blood samples were collected throughout the cycle. Number and size of antral follicles was determined and AMH levels measured using both assays.Results:AMH levels measured by the BC Access assay vary over ovulatory menstrual cycles, with a statistically significant pre-ovulatory decrease from –5 to +2 days around objective ovulation. Mean luteal AMH levels were significantly lower (–7.99%) than mean follicular levels but increased again towards the end of the luteal phase. Antral follicle count can be estimated from AMH (ng/mL, BC Access assay) concentrations on any follicular phase day. BC Access assay-obtained AMH values are considerably lower compared with the BC Mod Gen II assay (–19% on average); conversion equation: AMH BC Access (ng/mL)=0.85 [AMH BC Mod Gen II (ng/mL)]Conclusions:AMH levels vary throughout the cycle, independently of assay utilised. A formula can be used to convert BC Access assay-obtained AMH levels to BC Mod Gen II values. The number of antral follicles can be consistently estimated from pre-ovulatory AMH levels using either assay.

scholarly journals Anti-Müllerian hormone overexpression restricts preantral ovarian follicle survival

2018 ◽  
Vol 237 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael W Pankhurst ◽  
Rebecca L Kelley ◽  
Rachel L Sanders ◽  
Savana R Woodcock ◽  
Dorothy E Oorschot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Ovarian Follicle ◽  
Follicle Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Slight Reduction ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Antral Follicles ◽  
Primordial Follicle Activation ◽  
Ovarian Folliculogenesis

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is an ovarian regulator that affects folliculogenesis. AMH inhibits the developmental activation of the dormant primordial follicles and the oocyte within. In more mature follicles, AMH reduces granulosa cell sensitivity to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). We examined the effects of AMH overexpression on the stages of ovarian folliculogenesis, and the development of embryos, with a transgenic mouse that overexpresses human AMH in central nervous system neurons under the control of the mouse Thy1.2 promoter (Thy1.2-AMH Tg mice). These mice are severely sub-fertile, despite relatively normal ovulation rates. The embryos of Thy1.2-AMHTg females exhibited delayed preimplantation development and extensive mid-gestation fetal resorption. Young Thy1.2-AMHTg mouse ovaries exhibited only a slight reduction in the rate of primordial follicle activation but large declines in the number of developing follicles surviving past the primary stage. It was expected that Thy1.2-AMHTg mice would retain more primordial follicles as they aged, but at 5 months, their number was significantly reduced relative to wild-type females. These data indicate that moderate elevations in AMH levels can severely restrict reproductive output and the number of developing follicles in the ovary. This evidence suggests that early antral follicles are a target for AMH signaling, which may regulate early follicle survival.

Predictive value of antral follicle count and anti-Müllerian hormone for follicle and oocyte developmental competence during the early prepubertal period in a sheep model

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 1094 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Torres-Rovira ◽  
Antonio Gonzalez-Bulnes ◽  
Sara Succu ◽  
Antonio Spezzigu ◽  
Maria E. Manca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Reserve ◽  
Follicular Development ◽  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Antral Follicle ◽  
Oocyte Quality ◽  
Antral Follicle Count ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Sheep Model ◽  
Ewe Lambs

Circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and antral follicle count (AFC) are addressed as suitable markers of oocyte quantity and quality during adulthood. To investigate whether AFC and circulating AMH could predict follicle development and oocyte quality during the prepubertal period we used 40-day-old ewe lambs with high, intermediate and low AFC (≥30, 16–29 and ≤15 follicles respectively). The analysis of the response to the exogenous FSH ovarian reserve test showed a positive correlation between AFC, AMH plasma levels, total follicle number and the number of large follicles (≥3 mm) grown after exogenous FSH administration. The incorporation of abattoir-derived oocytes collected from ovaries with different AFC in an in vitro embryo production system showed that a high AFC can predict oocyte quality in prepubertal ovaries, reflecting an ovarian status suitable for follicular development. The histological quantification of the ovarian reserve evidenced that AFC was not predictive of differences in either the number of healthy follicles or the size of the primordial follicle pool in prepubertal ovaries. Further studies are needed to investigate the implication on the reproductive performance of the significant inter-individual differences found in the present study in AFC and circulating AMH in the early prepubertal period.

scholarly journals Antioxidant supplementation partially rescues accelerated ovarian follicle loss, but not oocyte quality, of glutathione-deficient mice†

2020 ◽  
Vol 102 (5) ◽  
pp. 1065-1079
Author(s):  
Jinhwan Lim ◽  
Samiha Ali ◽  
Lisa S Liao ◽  
Emily S Nguyen ◽  
Laura Ortiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Lipoic Acid ◽  
Ovarian Follicle ◽  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Oocyte Quality ◽  
Embryonic Mortality ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Acetyl Cysteine

Abstract The tripeptide thiol antioxidant glutathione (GSH) has multiple physiological functions. Female mice lacking the modifier subunit of glutamate cysteine ligase (GCLM), the rate-limiting enzyme in GSH synthesis, have decreased GSH concentrations, ovarian oxidative stress, preimplantation embryonic mortality, and accelerated age-related decline in ovarian follicles. We hypothesized that supplementation with thiol antioxidants, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), or α-lipoic acid (ALA) will rescue this phenotype. Gclm−/− and Gclm+/+ females received 0 or 80 mM NAC in drinking water from postnatal day (PND) 21–30; follicle growth was induced with equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) on PND 27, followed by an ovulatory dose of human CG and mating with a wild type male on PND 29 and zygote harvest 20 h after hCG. N-acetyl cysteine supplementation failed to rescue the low rate of second pronucleus formation in zygotes from Gclm−/− versus Gclm+/+ females. In the second study, Gclm−/− and Gclm+/+ females received diet containing 0, 150, or 600 mg/kg ALA beginning at weaning and were mated with wild type males from 8 to 20 weeks of age. α-Lipoic acid failed to rescue the decreased offspring production of Gclm−/− females. However, 150 mg/kg diet ALA partially rescued the accelerated decline in primordial follicles, as well as the increased recruitment of follicles into the growing pool and the increased percentages of follicles with γH2AX positive oocytes or granulosa cells of Gclm−/− females. We conclude that ovarian oxidative stress is the cause of accelerated primordial follicle decline, while GSH deficiency per se may be responsible for preimplantation embryonic mortality in Gclm−/− females.

scholarly journals Folliculogenesis, Fertility and Biotechnology in Dairy Cattle

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo M. Seneda ◽  
Sofia B. Delchiaro ◽  
Amanda F. Zangirolamo ◽  
Amauri A. Alfieri ◽  
Fabio Morotti
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Growth Phase ◽  
Final Stage ◽  
Ovarian Follicle ◽  
Antral Follicle ◽  
Antral Follicle Count ◽  
Productive Efficiency ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Fetal Life ◽  
Antral Follicles

The ovarian follicle population is formed by thousands of follicles, preantral and antral, where oocytes are included. During fetal life, the first follicles produced are preantral, and, as they undergo the development process, they reach the final stage of antral follicles, where a cavity/or antrum is developed. All this growth phase is called folliculogenesis, and this chapter will abord the most important aspects of this process. Moreover, not all follicles reach the preovulatory phase and can be fertilized, so we will discuss how reproductive biotechniques can positively influence the fertility of bovine females. We will also discuss the possibility of antral follicle count to influence reproductive performance and the correlation to biotechniques. Finally, we present alternatives on how to improve fertility and productive efficiency in dairy herds.

Should fertile women quit drinking alcohol to produce better quality oocytes?

Zygote ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Burcu Ozbakir ◽  
Pinar Tulay
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Antral Follicle ◽  
Antral Follicle Count ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Social Drinkers ◽  
Antral Follicles ◽  
Healthy Women ◽  
Significant Difference

Summary Alcohol consumption has long been shown to affect both fetal health and pregnancy. In this study, antral follicle count, maturation level of oocytes including morphological assessment and number of metaphase I (MI), metaphase II (MII) and germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes obtained from young women (age < 30 years old) with or without alcohol consumption were investigated. In total, 20 healthy women who were social drinkers and 36 healthy women who do not consume alcohol were involved in this study. Women in both study and control groups were undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation. The antral follicle count and the number and quality of the oocytes retrieved were evaluated and recorded. In total, 635 antral follicles, 1098 follicles and 1014 oocytes with 820 MII, 72 MI and 78 GV stage oocytes were collected from the social drinkers. In the control group, 628 antral follicles, 1136 follicles and 1085 oocytes with 838 MII, 93 MI and 102 GV stage oocytes were evaluated. The results of this study showed that the antral follicle count was very similar in both groups. The number of oocytes and MII stage oocytes was slightly higher in the control group, although it was not a significant difference. This study showed that although the consumption of alcohol may have adverse effects post-implantation, it may not have a solid effect during oogenesis in young women. The results of this study are especially important in clinical settings as some women who are social drinkers undergo in vitro fertilization treatments.

Effect of resveratrol administration on ovarian morphology, determined by transvaginal ultrasound for the women with PCOS

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Amir Pejman Hashemi Taheri ◽  
Behnaz Moradi ◽  
Amir Reza Radmard ◽  
Milad Sanginabadi ◽  
Mostafa Qorbani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Transvaginal Ultrasound ◽  
Antral Follicle ◽  
Antral Follicle Count ◽  
Ovarian Volume ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Ovarian Morphology ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background: Intake of resveratrol has been associated with improved ovarian morphology under in vitro and in the animal models; however, this finding has not been confirmed in trials. The aim of our study was, therefore, to use a placebo-controlled approach with the detailed assessment of the ovarian morphology by applying transvaginal ultrasound to examine the effectiveness of this therapeutic approach in this group of women. Methods: Forty-one women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were randomly assigned (1:1) to 3 months of daily 1000 mg resveratrol or placebo. Random assignment was done by blocked randomisation. Our primary endpoints were the change in the ovarian volume, stromal area and antral follicle count per ovary (FNPO) from the baseline to 3 months. Secondary endpoints were improvement in the distribution of follicles and ovarian echogenicity. Differences between the resveratrol and control groups were evaluated by Chi-square, fisher’s exact test and repeated-measures of ANOVA. Results: The mean age of all participants was 28.61 ± 4.99 years, with the mean BMI of 28.26 ± 5.62 kg/m2. Resveratrol therapy, as compared with placebo, was associated with a significantly higher rate of improvement in the ovarian morphology (p= 0.02). Women who received resveratrol had a more dominant follicle than those getting placebo, with a significant reduction in the ovarian volume (p<0.05). However, the number of FNPO, stromal area, ovarian echogenicity and distribution of follicles were not significantly altered (P>0.05). Conclusions: Treatment with resveratrol significantly reduced the ovarian volume and PCOM, thus suggesting a disease-modifying effect in PCOS. Trial registration: IRCT, IRCT2017061917139N2. Registered 7 July 2017, http://irct.ir/trial/15836.

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