Predictors of ovarian follicle number.
OBJECTIVE
To identify factors associated with ovarian follicle density in women of reproductive age.


METHODS
Women undergoing incidental oophorectomy responded to structured interviews. Grossly normal ovaries were sectioned and assessed for follicle density.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
102 women undergoing hysterectomy with incidental oophorectomy who had morphologically normal ovaries.


METHODS
Follicle density, age, parity, oral contraceptive use, body size, smoking, and alcohol consumption.


RESULTS
Follicle density decreased with age and with current or past cigarette smoking. Other factors were not associated with follicle density, although the study had adequate power to detect only strong associations.


CONCLUSIONS
Some of the adverse effects of smoking on reproductive health may be due to irreversible follicular depletion.
Westhoff
C
C
College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA. clw3@columbia.edu
Murphy
P
P
Heller
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001824:Body Constitution; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010298:Parity; D012016:Reference Values; D012907:Smoking
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral