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Atresia

Meaning

Atresia is the fundamental biological process of follicular degeneration and programmed cell death, or apoptosis, that occurs continuously within the ovaries. This continuous process accounts for the loss of over 99% of the ovarian follicles initially present at birth, ultimately leading to the finite nature of a woman’s reproductive lifespan. Understanding atresia is central to comprehending the progressive decline in ovarian reserve and the eventual onset of menopause.