Fig. 2: Diameter and number of the antral follicles according to MRI.
From: Weightlessness leads to an increase granulosa cells in the growing follicle
Baseline data (88 days before space flight) are green, early post-flight (19 days and 135 days after space flight)—pink, late post-flight (225 days after space flight)—orange. * – p < 0.05 in comparison with the baseline data. # – p < 0.1 in comparison with baseline data. All MRI scans were made on the 2nd dmc—early follicular phase, except the early post-flight MRI (12 days after landing)—it was on the 29th dmc (marked as x) – late luteal phase. For early and mid-size antral follicles second MRI data were suitable for relevant comparison with baseline data. Growing antral follicles are recruited to the FSH-dependent growth within the current menstrual cycle. Hence, the second MRI data are not relevant due to a different phase of the menstrual cycle. To prevent any confusion, we did not provide statistical analysis for both the entire cohort of antral follicles and the sub-cohort of growing antral follicles. Panel (A) shows the diameters of follicles from the cohort of all antral follicles throughout the post-flight period. Panel (B) shows the number of measured follicles (means are near the colored circles). Panel (C, D) show diameters and number, respectively, of follicles from sub-cohorts (early, mid-size and growing), separated by gray dotted lines.
