A normal number of follicles in each ovary, specifically the antral follicles visible on ultrasound at the start of the menstrual cycle, typically ranges from about 6 to 10 per ovary. This count is used as an indicator of ovarian reserve, which reflects a woman's remaining egg supply and fertility potential.
- An antral follicle count (AFC) of 6-10 per ovary is generally considered normal or adequate ovarian reserve.
- Counts below 6 per ovary suggest a low ovarian reserve.
- Counts above 12 per ovary may indicate a high ovarian reserve, sometimes seen in conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
The total AFC is often reported as the sum of follicles in both ovaries, with normal total counts ranging roughly from 12 to 20 or more, depending on age and individual variation
. Younger women tend to have higher counts (12-30 antral follicles across both ovaries), while the number declines with age
. In summary, each ovary normally has about 6 to 10 visible antral follicles at the beginning of a menstrual cycle, but this can vary based on age and individual factors. This count is important for assessing fertility and planning treatments like IVF
