Follicles vs Eggs? Let Us End the Confusion

 Though follicles are used synonymously with eggs by most of the doctors at the IVF Centre in Delhi, the follicle is basically a small secretory cavity, sac, or gland in which a mature egg or oocyte is released, whereas eggs are female reproductive cells that cannot be seen through naked eyes.

While follicles, measuring between 4 to 25 mm, can be seen through an ultrasound scan, the eggs, which are barely 0.1 mm in size, can only be seen through a microscope by observing the follicular fluid obtained during the IVF egg retrieval process.

A major misconception amongst most IVF patients is that women who have an active ovulatory cycle produce good eggs every month. Though this may be true in many cases, there are equal chances of women with an active ovulatory cycle producing no eggs or eggs of poor quality.

This is mainly because not all the follicles contain eggs, and if they do, not all eggs are likely to be mature or fertilized successfully. In some cases, the follicles are extremely small and do not contain eggs, whereas in others, there are chances of there being no egg due to the cysts being formed in them due to their large size. Another reason for the number of eggs being lesser than the follicles could be the inexperience of the doctor or the technical problems faced during the egg retrieval.

Hence, until and unless the eggs are retrieved, the number of eggs cannot be determined as the ultrasound scans can only ascertain the number of follicles, which could be different from the number of eggs, as mentioned above.

However, sometimes, there is a possibility of the eggs retrieved being more than the follicles observed on the ultrasound scan. The primary reason for this could be that some of the follicles were hidden behind the others.

In any case, it is of utmost importance for the doctor at the Best IVF Centre in Delhi to correctly guide the patient about the difference between the follicles and egg and to explain to them how the results of an ultrasound scan could not be considered a confirmation of the presence of egg.

Gaudium IVF Clinic in Delhi offers advanced treatments for patients struggling with infertility issues. For free expert advice from the expert infertility specialist Dr. Manika Khanna, book an appointment today.