Primordial follicles with normal oocytes in the ovaries of postmenopausal women.

In ultrastructural studies, the ovaries of postmenopausal women were compared with those of pre- and perimenopausal women. Primordial follicles containing apparently normal oocytes were found in all postmenopausal ovary samples. Differentiating follicles were often found in these samples, but they were in various states of atresia. The findings suggest that the menopause does not result exclusively from exhausation of the primordial follicles.