Oestrogens and follicular and oocyte development

A symposium devoted to the primate ovary was held almost 10 years ago in which one of the main conclusions was that, despite accumulated evidence in different experimental species that oestrogens may play a pivotal role in follicular development and oocyte maturation, there was no definite proof as to conclude the same for primates and humans (Stouffer, 1987). This was coincidental in time with the wide spread of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) throughout the world. Clinicians were concerned about the monitoring of the stimulated cycle and serum oestradiol concentration was the most solid biochemical candidate. As an example, a series of serum oestradiol patterns that are correlated with the outcome of IVF was described by Jones et al. (1983). In addition, serum oestradiol values have been widely used as a criterion to predict ovarian hyperstimulation, although ther