# CONTROL OF FOLLICULOGENESIS

> **NIH NIH R01** · MAGEE-WOMEN'S HOSPITAL OF UPMC · 1992 · $117,851

## Abstract

The overall goal of this research is to elcuidate the phyisological
mechanisms which govern the maturation of a single preovulatory
follicle during the primate menstrual cycle.  Our work to date has
documented that the feedback relationship between ovarian
steriods and gonadotropin secretion is the essential component of
the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis by which the presence of
a maturing follicle arrests the development of less mature
follicles.  Further, we have shown that the maturing follicle
continues its growth in the presence of gondatropin
concentrations which are unable to initiate the maturation of less
mature follicles which explains how the maturing follicle is
protected from its own inhibitory influences.

During the proposed funding interval we will continue our use of
the gonadotropin-pulsed macaque model to investigate the nature
of the ovarian responses to gondatrophic hormones.  Specifically,
we will determine whether follicular growth in response to FSH is
a threshold dependent phenomenon.  In addition, we will
investigate the ovarian mechanisms by which the maturing follicle
acquires greater sensitivity to FSH, and whether the
pathophysiological  connection associated with polycystic ovarian
disease is a direct consequence of an altered FSH:LH ratio.
Lastly, we will utilize magnetic resonance imaging to measure
growth rates of individual follicles as a function of gondatropin
concentration as well as to study the ovarian microcirulation
during follicle growth and atresia.

In addition to providing basic information as follicular growth
during the primate menstural cycle, it is expected that results
from the proposed study will be of use to endocrinologists in the
control of certain forms of infertility.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2196875
- **Project number:** 5R01HD012014-14
- **Recipient organization:** MAGEE-WOMEN'S HOSPITAL OF UPMC
- **Principal Investigator:** Anthony J Zeleznik
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $117,851
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1981-09-01 → 1994-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2196875

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2196875, CONTROL OF FOLLICULOGENESIS (5R01HD012014-14). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2196875. Licensed CC0.

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