Echographic study of follicular maturation and ovulation during the normal menstrual cycle.

Follicular development was followed by echography during 18 menstrual cycles in 10 women volunteers. Results were correlated with changes in serum hormone levels, basal body temperature curves, and cervical mucus changes. The average follicular growth as measured from the time of echographic visualization was 0.3 cm/day. The diameter of the follicle measured the day before disappearance was 2.7 +/- 0.3 cm. In all cases echography was shown to indicate accurately the time of ovulation. Given its inoffensive nature, the usefulness of echography in determining the physical event of ovulation is demonstrated. Possible applications in the surveillance of ovulation induction methods and in artificial insemination are discussed.