Stromal Cells of the Human Postmenopausal Ovary Display a Distinctive Biochemical and Molecular Phenotype

The document presents findings from two separate studies. The first study, a double-blind trial with 35 women, examined the impact of the timing of clomiphene citrate treatment on perifollicular vascularity and endometrial receptivity. It concluded that starting clomiphene therapy on either day 2 or day 5 of the cycle does not significantly affect oocyte quality or endometrial receptivity in women with regular ovulatory cycles. The second study explored the biochemical and molecular characteristics of stromal cells in the human postmenopausal ovary. It found that while these cells express proteins involved in cholesterol metabolism, they have a limited ability to synthesize steroids, particularly androgens, suggesting that postmenopausal androgens are likely produced by the adrenal gland, not the ovary. The stromal cells also contained growth factor-binding proteins, which may influence ovarian function.