title: Progress in understanding human ovarian folliculogenesis and its implications in assisted reproduction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To highlight recent progress in understanding the pattern of follicular wave emergence of human menstrual cycle, providing a brief overview of the new options for human ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval by making full use of follicular physiological waves of the patients either with normal or abnormal ovarian reserve.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature review and editorial commentary.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There has been increasing evidence to suggest that multiple (two or three) antral follicular waves are recruited during human menstrual cycle. The treatment regimens designed based on the theory of follicular waves, to promote increased success with assisted reproduction technology (ART) and fertility preservation have been reported. These new options for human ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval by making full use of follicular waves of the patients either with normal or abnormal ovarian reserve lead to new thinking about the standard protocols in ART and challenge the traditional theory that a single wave of antral follicles grows only during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The understanding of human ovarian folliculogenesis may have profound implications in ART and fertility preservation. Further studies are needed to evaluate the optimal regimens in ART based on the theory of follicular waves and to identify non-invasive markers for predicting the outcome and the potential utilities of follicles obtained from anovulatory follicular waves in ART.
authors: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 107 Yanjiang Rd, Guangzhou, China. yangdz@mail.sysu.edu.cn
authors: Dong Zi
authors: DZ
authors: Yang
authors: Wan
authors: W
authors: Yang
authors: Yu
authors: Y
authors: Li
authors: Zuanyu
authors: Z
authors: He
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000254:growth & development*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
chemical_list: D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone
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