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Antral Follicle Count

By , About.com Guide

Updated January 20, 2010

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Definition:

Antral follicle count involves counting the resting follicles that are found on the ovary at the beginning of each menstrual cycle. They are approximately 2 – 8 mm in size. Can be an indication of the ovarian reserve of a woman.

A high antral follicle count indicates that a woman has a large number of eggs remaining in her ovary, and sometimes PCOS. Low antral follicle counts show the opposite, that a woman may have a reduced number of eggs and therefore reduced fertility. Doctors can determine the number of antral follicles through a transvaginal ultrasound.

Also Known As: AFC, primordial follicles, resting follicles
Common Misspellings: antrel follicle count
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