Estimating human ovarian non-growing follicle number: the application of modern stereology techniques to an old problem.
BACKGROUND Previous published reports on the number of non-growing follicles (NGFs) in the human ovary have employed model-based methods for number estimates. These methods are time-intensive, and require correction factors and assumptions that ultimately limit their accuracy. Here, we describe the modification, application and validation of a modern fractionator/optical disector technique for the estimation of human ovarian NGF number. METHODS Forty-eight pairs of normal human ovaries were collected from women (age 8-51 years) undergoing elective bilateral oophorectomy, organ donation, or from autopsy. After gross pathologic examination, systematic random sampling was utilized to obtain tissue for analysis by the fractionator/optical disector method. The precision of individual NGF counts was determined by calculating the observed coefficient of error (OCE). Intra-observer variability and variation in NGF number between ovaries within a pair were also determined. RESULTS The mean OCE was 16.6% with larger variations observed at lower follicle counts. In recount experiments of the same ovary, NGF number estimates varied by 15-29%, except at very low follicle counts where variation was greater, but absolute differences were small. There was no significant difference in NGF number between ovaries within a pair (Wilcoxon signed rank test, P = 0.81). CONCLUSIONS Modern stereology methods provide an unbiased, efficient method for estimating NGF number in the human ovary. Both ovaries within a pair contain similar numbers of NGFs.
Charleston
Jay S
JS
Stereotome NW, Issaquah, WA 98027, USA.
Hansen
Karl R
KR
Thyer
Angela C
AC
Charleston
Lynne B
LB
Gougeon
Alain
A
Siebert
Joseph R
JR
Soules
Michael R
MR
Klein
Nancy A
NA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000473:pathology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results