Preface; Contents; Contributors; Ovarian Function; 1 Ovarian Endocrinology; Factors Regulate Ovarian Cycles; GnRH; Gonadotropins; Steroid Hormones; Sex Steroid Hormones; Glycoproteins; References; 2 Follicular Development and Oocyte Growth; Introduction; Follicular Development; From Primordial Follicles to Pre-antral Follicle; Formation of Primordial Follicles; Initial Recruitment of Follicles; Pre-antral Follicle Growth and Differentiation; From Antral to Pre-ovulatory Follicles; Antral Follicle Recruitment; Dominant Follicle Selection; Pre-ovulatory Follicle Development

Ovarian Follicular Wave DynamicsFollicle Atresia; Changes of Follicular Morphology and Metabolism During Atresia; Hormonal Regulation of Follicle Atresia; Molecular Mechanisms of Follicle Cell Apoptosis; Oocyte Growth; Size of Oocytes and Follicles; Mechanism of Oocyte Maturation; Nuclear Maturation; Cytoplasmic and Membrane Maturation; Epigenetic Modification; Conclusion; References; 3 A New Understanding on the Regulation of Oocyte Meiotic Prophase Arrest and Resumption; Meiotic Arrest; Oocyte Maturation Inhibitor; Cyclic Nucleotides; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; NPPC; FSH; Estrogen

Oocyte-Derived Paracrine FactorsMeiotic Resumption; LH; Reduction of Intraoocyte cAMP Levels; Reduction of Intraoocyte cGMP Levels; Reduction of NPPC/NPR2 Function; EGF-Like Growth Factors; Calcium Signaling; Conclusion; References; 4 Mitochondria of the Oocyte; Introduction; Structural Property of Mitochondria in Mammalian Oocytes; Mechanism of Mitochondrial Traffic in Mammalian Oocytes; Energy Metabolism in Mammalian Oocytes; Genetic and Epigenetic Control of Mitochondria; Future Perspective; Conclusion; References; Natural Cycle IVF and Stimulated Cycle IVF

5 Natural Cycle IVF: Summary of the Current LiteratureIntroduction; Natural Cycle IVF; Low Responders; GnRH Antagonists; NSAID; Clomiphene Citrate; Mild Stimulation; In Vitro Maturation; Costs; Additional Aspects; Timing of Oocyte Retrieval; Analysis of Follicular Fluid; Summary; References; 6 Follicular Fluid Hormone Profiles in Natural Cycle IVF Patients During Follicular Phase; Introduction; Follicular Fluid Hormones in Folliculogenesis; Composition of Follicular Fluid; Ovary-Derived Hormones; Steroid Hormones; Oestrogens; Progestins; Androgens; Anti-Müllerian Hormone

Pituitary-Derived HormonesFollicle-Stimulating Hormone; Luteinizing Hormone; Prolactin; Growth Hormone; Systemic Hormones; Insulin; Cortisol; Renin; Follicular Fluid Hormones in Natural Cycle IVF; Evidence for the Detrimental Impact of Exogenous Gonadotrophin Stimulation; Natural Cycle IVF; Follicular Fluid in Natural Cycles; Comparing Follicular Hormonal Milieu Between NC-IVF and COH-IVF Cycles; The Association Between FF Endocrine Profiles, Resultant Oocyte and Embryo Quality in NMC-IVF and COH-IVF; Pathology Related Follicular Hormone Profiles in NC-IVF; Weaknesses in Published Literature