Follicular Atresia
Follicular Atresia - Related Videos
06:40
Collection of Human Follicular Fluid, Follicle Somatic Cells, and Immature Oocytes from Individuals Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization
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This protocol outlines standardized methods to isolate and process follicular fluid, somatic cells, and immature oocytes from IVF procedures, enabling high-quality molecular and cellular analyses. These approaches support translational research into fertility, reproductive aging, and ovarian dysfunction using materials typically discarded in clinical care.
07:24
Xenopus Oocytes: Optimized Methods for Microinjection, Removal of Follicular Cell Layers, and Fast Solution Changes in Electrophysiological Experiments
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Optimized procedures for the isolation of single follicles, cytoplasmic RNA microinjections, the removal of surrounding cell layers, and protein expression in Xenopus oocytes are described. In addition, a simple method for fast solution changes in electrophysiological experiments with ligand-gated ion channels is presented.
09:12
A Mouse Model of Chronic Liver Fibrosis for the Study of Biliary Atresia
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Cited by 3 •
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We established a mouse model of chronic liver fibrosis, which provides a suitable animal model for the virus-induced liver fibrosis mechanistic study of biliary atresia (BA) and a platform for future BA treatments.
11:35
Separation of Follicular Cells and Oocytes in Ovarian Follicles of Zebrafish
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Cited by 1 •
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Here, we present a simple method for separating follicular cells and oocytes in zebrafish ovarian follicles, which will facilitate investigations of ovarian development in zebrafish.
07:48
A Silver Nanoparticle Method for Ameliorating Biliary Atresia Syndrome in Mice
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Cited by 2 •
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This article describes in detail a method based on silver nanoparticles for ameliorating biliary atresia syndrome in an experimental biliary atresia mouse model. A solid understanding of the reagent preparation process and the neonatal mouse injection technique will help familiarize researchers with the method used in neonatal mouse model studies.
FAQs
Loss of survival support affects both granulosa and theca cells, leading them toward apoptosis, a regulated form of cell death. As these supporting cells deteriorate, the follicle can no longer maintain normal development or steroid production. This cellular failure helps explain why follicles that lose developmental support are removed rather than progressing to ovulation.
Follicles require appropriate gonadotropin responsiveness and steroid-producing activity to maintain development. When responsiveness changes, the follicle may receive insufficient support to continue maturing. Declining or altered steroid production therefore accompanies the loss of follicular viability, linking endocrine regulation with the cellular events that promote atresia during reproductive cycles.
Local ovarian signaling helps determine whether an individual follicle continues developing or enters degeneration. Its effects interact with gonadotropin responsiveness and steroid production rather than acting as an isolated trigger. This local regulation allows the ovary to selectively support some follicles while directing others toward breakdown, helping control how many follicles advance within a cycle.
Because follicles that do not mature are progressively removed, repeated atresia contributes to depletion of the ovarian reserve. This process operates across reproductive life and becomes especially relevant when interpreting age-related changes in ovarian function. Reserve loss reflects the cumulative outcome of follicles failing to continue development, not only the follicles that successfully ovulate.
Examining the mechanisms of atresia gives infertility research a way to evaluate why follicles fail to reach ovulation. Investigators can consider granulosa and theca cell survival, apoptosis, gonadotropin responsiveness, steroid production, and local ovarian signaling together. These factors help connect follicular loss with impaired reproductive function and provide context for assessing ovarian activity.
Follicular atresia provides a framework for studying disorders and life stages associated with altered ovarian function. In polycystic ovary syndrome, premature ovarian insufficiency, and aging, researchers can examine whether changes in follicle survival, endocrine responsiveness, or local signaling affect development and reserve. The same framework also helps evaluate how reproductive therapies influence ovarian function.