Images of experimental procedures performed to assess the preantral follicle neighborhood and clustering patterns.

(A–H) Representative images used for determination of follicular neighborhood patterns are shown. For neighborhood pattern assessment, random fields were imaged, and (A, B, G) follicles within each image were numbered, and classified according to morphology and developmental stage. Next, (C, D, H) the distances from the first follicle (labelled with the number “1”) were measured, and subsequently, (E, F) the distances between all follicles within the field were measured. Scale bars = 100 μm, magnification = 20×. (I–N) Representative images of randomly generated fields depicting progressive lower to higher clustering patterns are also shown. To assess preantral follicle clustering, the fields were overlaid with 5 consecutive 200 x 200 μm “T” plots, the number of follicles in each plot were counted, and the clustering index was calculated. Scale bars = 200 μm, magnification = 10×.