The objective of the research comprising this thesis was to characterize ovarian follicular development in healthy women of reproductive age undergoing natural menstrual cycles and oral contraception (OC) cycles. We quantified changes in the numbers and diameters of follicles, detected ovulation and assessed changes in the growth and regression of corpora lutea using high-resolution transvaginal ultrasonography. Changes in follicular and luteal development were then correlated with changes in concentrations of reproductively-active hormones and endometrial growth to provide a comprehensive approach to ovarian and uterine function.<p>We documented, for the first time, that women exhibited waves of antral follicular development during the menstrual cycle. Two and three waves of follicle growth were observed. Major and minor waves of follicle development were characterized. Major waves were those in which a dominant follicle was selected for preferential growth; minor waves were those in which dominance was not manifest. Luteal progesterone production appeared to have a negative effect on the emergence and development of follicle waves in women. The ovarian follicular wave phenomenon has provided a new model for studying the growth and regression of ovarian follicles during the human menstrual cycle. Documentation of ovarian follicular waves in women has implications for the development of new strategies to manipulate ovarian follicular development, in particular hormonal contraceptive regimens and infertility therapies. <P>We further documented that ovarian follicular development occurred during the compliant use of oral contraception. Follicles developed to ostensibly ovulatory diameters and either regressed, ovulated, or formed follicular cysts under the suppressive effects of OC. The majority of follicles that developed during OC use emerged during the hormone-free interval (HFI). We interpreted our findings to mean that ovarian follicular development during OC use was associated with loss of endocrine suppression during the HFI, rather than user non-compliance as previously speculated. The number and maximum diameter of follicles that developed during OC use were greater in women administered OC containing 20 g versus 30--35 g Ethinyl -- Estradiol formulations. Our results provided rationale for a reduction or complete elimination of the HFI in OC regimens, and the judicious use of low EE dose OC regimens (i.e., ? 20 g EE). Ovarian follicular development and circulating concentrations of estradiol and LH were not suppressed effectively when OC use was initiated at mid to late stages of follicle development (i.e., ? 10 mm). Our findings demonstrated that dominant follicles secrete estradiol and become increasingly responsive to LH as they acquire functional dominance after becoming physiologically selected for preferential growth during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle.

The objective of the research comprising this thesis was to characterize ovarian follicular development in healthy women of reproductive age undergoing natural menstrual cycles and oral contraception (OC) cycles. We quantified changes in the numbers and diameters of follicles, detected ovulation and assessed changes in the growth and regression of corpora lutea using high-resolution transvaginal ultrasonography. Changes in follicular and luteal development were then correlated with changes in concentrations of reproductively-active hormones and endometrial growth to provide a comprehensive approach to ovarian and uterine function.<p>We documented, for the first time, that women exhibited waves of antral follicular development during the menstrual cycle. Two and three waves of follicle growth were observed. Major and minor waves of follicle development were characterized. Major waves were those in which a dominant follicle was selected for preferential growth; minor waves were those in which dominance was not manifest. Luteal progesterone production appeared to have a negative effect on the emergence and development of follicle waves in women. The ovarian follicular wave phenomenon has provided a new model for studying the growth and regression of ovarian follicles during the human menstrual cycle. Documentation of ovarian follicular waves in women has implications for the development of new strategies to manipulate ovarian follicular development, in particular hormonal contraceptive regimens and infertility therapies. <P>We further documented that ovarian follicular development occurred during the compliant use of oral contraception. Follicles developed to ostensibly ovulatory diameters and either regressed, ovulated, or formed follicular cysts under the suppressive effects of OC. The majority of follicles that developed during OC use emerged during the hormone-free interval (HFI). We interpreted our findings to mean that ovarian follicular development during OC use was associated with loss of endocrine suppression during the HFI, rather than user non-compliance as previously speculated. The number and maximum diameter of follicles that developed during OC use were greater in women administered OC containing 20 g versus 30--35 g Ethinyl -- Estradiol formulations. Our results provided rationale for a reduction or complete elimination of the HFI in OC regimens, and the judicious use of low EE dose OC regimens (i.e., ? 20 g EE). Ovarian follicular development and circulating concentrations of estradiol and LH were not suppressed effectively when OC use was initiated at mid to late stages of follicle development (i.e., ? 10 mm). Our findings demonstrated that dominant follicles secrete estradiol and become increasingly responsive to LH as they acquire functional dominance after becoming physiologically selected for preferential growth during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Drexel University, 2007. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 103-110).

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Thesis--University of Nijmegen. / Summary in English and Dutch. Includes bibliographical references (p. 101-108).

Two prospective investigations of periodicity of sexual behavior, well-being and testosterone (T) levels in women using and not using oral contraceptives (OCs) found no relationship between daily ratings of sexual desire and well-being across one pill and menstrual cycle. T, but not estradiol or progesterone, was positively correlated with sexual desire and sexual enjoyment in OC-users when T levels were below normal menstrual values. Other evidence suggested on association between post-ovulatory decreases in T and sexual desire in women. A bias to attend to sexual stimuli on a dichotic listening task was associated with sexual arousability in men. Moreover, task performance indicated T may enhance attention to relevant stimuli. While social variables are clearly important determinants of sexual behavior, these findings suggest a relationship between T and cognitive aspects of sexual behavior in young, healthy individuals.

Two studies are presented which investigated the relationship between oral contraceptives (o.c.s) and premenstrual changes in mood and physical state. The retrospective pilot study examined possible differences in symptom-reporting between groups of pill-users and non-users. Women using o.c.s had lower severity scores on a number of physical and mood-related symptoms compared to non-users. In the prospective study, eighty-two women with complaints of moderate to severe premenstrual symptoms were recruited for a double-blind, controlled trial of a triphasic o.c. Subjects made daily ratings of symptoms for one to two baseline cycles and were then randomly assigned to receive either placebo or the o.c. for three treatment cycles. Prospective assessment of symptoms was made using a variety of measures, and circulating levels of estrogen and progesterone were measured at three points during the cycle. Bloating and breast pain showed a greater reduction in the o.c. group than in the placebo group. In a subgroup of women with premenstrual depressive change, the o.c. also produced greater improvement in a number of symptoms compared to placebo. For all other symptoms, there was no beneficial effect of the active treatment over placebo. Women who received o.c.s reported decreased sexual interest after starting the pill. Possible hormonal mechanisms for these effects are discussed.

Graduation date: 1980

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2005. / Advisor: Dr. Jodee Dorsey, Florida State University, College of Human Sciences, Dept. of Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed June 7, 2005). Document formatted into pages; contains xii, 134 pages. Includes bibliographical references.