Fig. 3
From: Activated ovarian endothelial cells promote early follicular development and survival
Early follicular culture in serum free conditions. Each individual follicle was observed and photographed every second day. Two perpendicular diameters of follicles were measured. The mean of two diameters was calculated and considered as the reference diameter of the follicle. Diameters of oocytes were taken in the same fashion. The first day of culture was considered day 0. a. Early follicles (50–150 μm) were mechanically isolated from 8-day-old mice and co-cultured with AOECs (n = 32), Matrigel (n = 27), or gel (n = 24) in serum free media for 14 days. b. Early follicles cultured on AOECs versus gelatin on days 2, 6 and 14. Growth and proliferation seen in AOEC group versus progressive degeneration and eventual oocyte (oo) extrusion in gelatin group. c. Follicular growth in primary follicles (<100 μm). d. Follicular growth of secondary follicles (>100 μm)