INTRAOVARIAN FACTORS REGULATING OVARIAN-FUNCTION

Ovarian folliculogenesis is a dynamic process marked by exponential ex pansion and differentiation of the granulosa cells, oocyte maturation, ovulation and corpus luteum formation. Although the central roles of gonadotropins and gonadal steroids in this explosive agenda are well a ccepted, the variable fate of follicles afforded comparable stimulatio n within the same ovary suggests the existence of an additional intrao varian system comprised of regulating species that 'fine-tune' the blo od-borne hormones.