Redefining Ovarian Fibrosis Through Comparative Analysis of Collagen Architecture

Ovarian fibrosis is a known pathology of reproductive aging, becoming a growing concern for infertility and complex ovarian diseases. In research, mouse and human ovary samples are utilized, though distinct differences between species warrant validation of architectural phenotypes to accurately define its pathology. Using polarized light microscopy and orientation analysis of collagen fibers in mouse and human ovaries, we define ovarian fibrosis as the accumulation and/or anisotropic organization of fibrillar collagen within the ovarian stroma and/or cortex.