Fig. 1

Model of well-orchestrated spatiotemporal pattern of hormone-mediated folliculogenesis. AMH expressed in the stage from primordial to early antral, and decreased in antral stage. AMH plays an important role in the recruitment of primordial follicles. The decline of AMH can enhance the secretion of FSH, LH, and A. The expression of AMH can be finally inhibited by E2 and P. FSH mainly appears after pre-antral follicle stage caused by the decline of AMH and peaks before ovulation, and its sufficient secretion increased E2 level. LH secretion is induced by the decline of inhibin B at antral follicle stage and peaks before ovulation. LH can enhance the secretion of E2. Inhibin B increases before antral follicle stage, drops to a low level after the same stage, and surges again during ovulation. Its secretion is stimulated by FSH and up-regulates androgens. Progesterone secretion gradually increases during antral follicle development, surges in the preovulatory period, and peaks in the dominant follicles. The variation of different receptor is consistent in the expression of corresponding hormones