Correlation between human ovarian follicular atresia and follicular fluid (FF1) inhibin-F content

Inhibin-F activity and steroid contents were measured in human FF1. There was a significant negative correlation between FF1 inhibin-F content and Δ4-androstenedione: estrogen ratio. Inhibin-F content in atretic follicular phase follicles and in cystic follicles were significantly lower (p<.05) than that of viable follicular phase follicles. There was a lower inhibib-F content in luteal phase follicles than in viable follicles. These data suggest that inhibin-F activity in FF1 reflects follicular viability and that luteal phase follicles have lower inhibin-F levels probably because many are atretic. The lack of inhibin-F in atretic follicles during the luteal phase may in part along with changes in circulating steroids be responsible for the rise in serum FSH which can in turn recruit new follicles.