Model of antral follicle dynamics during the 5-day cycle in rats based on measurement of antral follicle inflow

Antral follicles were counted in ovaries from young adult Wistar rats, collected on the 5 days of the ovarian cycle. Follicles were classified as healthy, early atretic or late atretic and divided into five volume classes. From these data, a model was developed in which the inflow of healthy follicles into the various size classes was quantified. This model describes the follicle dynamics during a normal 5-day cycle. It was concluded that the stage of early atresia takes between 20 and 24 h. The inflow of follicles into the antral stage (volume ≥ 100 x 10⁵ μm³) was continuous but not constant. The highest inflow was found during pro-oestrus and oestrus, at about the time of the first and second FSH surge. The total inflow during each cycle was about 120 follicles of which only 10% ovulated. These ovulating follicles were recruited during the previous pro-oestrus and oestrus. Follicle selection took place in volume classes I and ≥ (volume 100-350 x 10⁵ μm³) during oestrus and dioestrus 1. At dioestrus 2, the follicles that will ovulate have been selected and can be recognized on the basis of their bigger size.