title: Few instead of many: human follicle collection from follicular aspirates at oocyte retrieval.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to determine if follicular aspirates obtained during oocyte retrieval for IVF were a good source of ovarian follicles for research purposes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Follicular aspirates from 86 patients were collected and examined for the presence of follicles, and histological examination of tissue sample found was undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Follicles were only obtained from aspirates of seven out of a total of 86 patients. From these samples a total of 14 follicles was found. The follicles were primordial, primary or secondary, 40-80 microm in diameter. Three of these recovered follicles were cultured and all degenerated within 2 days. In all aspirates some groups of granulosa cells that did not contain follicles or oocytes were found, as was vaginal epithelium that was also identified and verified by histology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Follicular aspirates are not a useful source of human follicles. Some structures found in the aspirates may be erroneously identified as follicles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge University Hospital, S-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden. pu.Zhang@klinvet.ki.se
authors.forename: Pu
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Julius Gisli
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Hreinsson
authors.forename: Evelyn
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Telfer
authors.forename: Outi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hovatta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D035843:Biomedical Research; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004848:Epithelium / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006107:Granulosa Cells; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013396:Suction; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting; D014621:Vagina / Q000033:anatomy & histology