how does a follicle mature
Each ovarian follicle contains a hollow ball of cells with an immature egg in the center. During childhood, approximately half of ovarian follicles are absorbed by the body. By the time a girl reaches puberty and her menstrual cycle begins, only about 400,000 ovarian follicles are left to develop into mature eggs. Although only one egg usually fully matures during ovulation, somewhere between ten and 20 follicles begin the process of maturation monthly.