Ovulation and the Periovulatory Follicle

The introduction and use of transvaginal colour flow imaging has facilitated the study of vascular changes within the pelvis. The follicle and corpus luteum of the ovary and the endometrium of the uterus are the only areas in a normal adult body where angiogenesis (the development of new blood vessels) occurs to any significant extent; the same process occurs during the growth of carcinomas. The ability to recognise these early vascular changes with colour Doppler is facilitating the diagnosis of pelvic cancers as well as normal and abnormal ovarian and uterine function. It seems likely that this technique will lead to a greater understanding of how vessel growth is involved in reproductive pathophysiology. The ability to monitor changes in vascularity may enable the development of methods to inhibit or enhance angiogenic activity in vivo.