Follicle Question, Size, Fertilization, Duration

[muddoc]

In my experience, the smallest follicle that an experienced palpater (word?) can feel is about 20mm (although I have heard some people say they can feel 18mm). Typically when they are in the 26mm and larger range, the female will not reabsorb, but go through with the process (this does not mean that she lay fertilized healthy eggs, as if she isn't in good condition, she can choose not to put her fat stores or energy into the eggs). Typically between 35mm and 40mm is when she will ovulate.

Now, for your length of time question, that is a bit harder to answer. A typical female once she has decided to start developing (how they decide that is a mystery), the follicles will grow between 6mm and 8mm a week (I do not have an ultrasound, but this is what I have been told). So, if you can feel follicles when palpating(this would indicate about 20mm), them you are at minimum 3 to 4 weeks from ovulation. In general, once I can feel what I would describe as ping pong ball sized follicles (probably between 28mm and 30mm), they are usually about 14 days from ovulation. With that said, I have had females that get to that size and hold them there for up to three months before they ovulate. In conclusion, when trying to draw timelines, there are none, with the exception of post ovulation. As most studied people know, it is usually 14 after ovulation that the female will shed, 30 after shed she will lay, and 60 days after laying the eggs will hatch. Those are the only hard dates that I know (but as with every other rule, those can be bent some too). LOL.

Hope that gave some insight,