Follicle Structure Influences the Availability of Oxygen to the Oocyte in Antral Follicles

The ability of an oocyte to successfully mature is highly dependent on intrafollicular conditions, including the size and structure of the follicle. Here we present a mathematical model of oxygen transport in the antral follicle. We relate mean oxygen concentration in follicular fluid of bovine foll...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: A. R. Clark, Y. M. Stokes
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2011-01-01
Series:Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/287186
Description
Summary:The ability of an oocyte to successfully mature is highly dependent on intrafollicular conditions, including the size and structure of the follicle. Here we present a mathematical model of oxygen transport in the antral follicle. We relate mean oxygen concentration in follicular fluid of bovine follicles to the concentration in the immediate vicinity of the cumulus-oocyte complex (COC). The model predicts that the oxygen levels within the antral follicle are dependent on the size and structure of the follicle and that the mean level of dissolved oxygen in follicular fluid does not necessarily correspond to that reaching the COC.
ISSN:1748-670X
1748-6718