Follicular growth pattern in normal-cycling Brazilian adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the follicular growth characteristics in normal Brazilian adolescents.


METHODS
Descriptive study.


METHODS
Adolescent clinic in a university hospital.


METHODS
Healthy normal cycling adolescents.


METHODS
Endovaginal ultrasound; blood samples for hormone measurement.


METHODS
Follicular-phase length, follicular growth rate.


RESULTS
The menstrual-cycle interval was 29.5 +/- 1.6 days. Sixty-five percent of adolescents had follicular-phase length of <or=16 days (group 1), and nearly 35% had follicular-phase length of >16 days (group 2). In the early follicular phase, the levels of FSH, LH, and E(2) were 5.1 mIU/mL, 3.0 mIU/mL, and 28.3 pg/mL, respectively. There was a mild negative correlation between FSH and follicular-phase length across the whole cohort (r = -0.464), but after analysis as a separate group, the correlation was present only in those adolescents with follicular phase lasting </=16 days. There was no correlation between LH or E(2) levels and the follicular-phase length in either group. There was good correlation between the follicular size and follicular-phase length in both groups of adolescents. The follicular growth rate was 1.11 +/- 0.05 mm/d across the whole cohort, 1.33 +/- 0.05 mm/d in the adolescents with follicular-phase length of <or=16 days, and 0.88 +/- 0.06 mm/d in those in whom the follicular phase lasted >16 days.


CONCLUSIONS
A long follicular phase is common in normal-cycling, healthy adolescents as a consequence of slow follicular growth rate.
Cabral
Zuleide Aparecida Felix
ZA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medical Science, Júlio Muller University Hospital, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil.
de Medeiros
Sebastião Freitas
SF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D048429:Cell Size; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*; D013997:Time Factors
D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone