• Follicles grow around oocytes (Follicular cycle)
  • Follicles contain oocyte (arrested in prophase), zona pellucida (acellular layer secreted by oocyte), granulosa cells, membrana propria, theca interna (glandular and highly vascular), theca externa (fibrous capsule) (both developed from ovarian stromal cells).
  • Theca interna cells respond to LH, theca externa cells respond to FSH
  • Both secrete androgens
  • thecal androgens aromatized by granulosa cells
  • Forms corpus luteum after ovulation (Luteal Phase)
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Cell types