Abstract
In natural cycles, folliculogenesis is regulated by a finely tuned system consisting of the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian hormone axis, the pulsatile secretion of these hormones, and the expression pattern of hormone receptors. This system usually leads to the formation of a follicle. Ovulation is initiated by the release of luteinizing hormone from the pituitary gland, triggered by estradiol (E2) concentrations which are high enough to allow the oocyte to mature and the endometrium to proliferate sufficiently.
In conventional gonadotropin stimulated IVF (cIVF), endogenous gonadotropins from the pituitary gland are suppressed by high concentrations of E2 and by the administration of GnRH analogues and are replaced by constantly high doses of exogenous gonadotropins. This makes it possible to break through the natural regulatory mechanisms that are supposed to prevent a polyfollicular ovarian response. However, in cIVF the hormone profile is different, which has an impact on folliculogenesis, follicular steroidogenesis, and thus on the function of the follicles and oocytes.
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von Wolff, M. (2022). Folliculogenesis. In: von Wolff, M. (eds) Natural Cycle and Minimal Stimulation IVF . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-97571-5_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-97571-5_5
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