The formation of Graafian follicles begins at which point in a female’s life?
A. At 5-6 months after conception B. At birth C. At 5 years old D. At puberty E. At menopause
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is A. At 5-6 months after conception.
The formation of Graafian follicles, also known as mature follicles, begins during fetal development, specifically around the 5th to 6th month of pregnancy. At this stage, a female fetus has a specific number of primordial follicles that are formed within the ovaries. These primordial follicles contain immature eggs or oocytes and are in a resting state until puberty.
Primordial follicles are present at birth but are not yet developed into Graafian follicles. Over the course of a female’s life, the number of these follicles gradually decreases, and by the time of puberty, the majority are still in the primordial stage. Only a small fraction will eventually mature into Graafian follicles capable of ovulation.
The Graafian follicle is the stage just before ovulation, where the egg inside the follicle is ready to be released during the menstrual cycle. At puberty, hormonal changes, particularly the rise in FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone), activate the development of these follicles. However, the actual formation of the Graafian follicle is initiated much earlier in fetal life, even before birth.
It is important to note that while Graafian follicles begin to form during fetal life, they are not functional until puberty, when the menstrual cycle begins. Therefore, while a female has all the primordial follicles she will ever have by birth, the actual process of follicular development that leads to ovulation and Graafian follicle maturation happens as a response to puberty and hormonal changes in the body.