How Dysbiosis Disrupts Hormonal Health, Ovulation, and Egg Quality From the Inside Out — section

Inside every developing ovarian follicle are granulosa cells, the metabolically active support cells surrounding the oocyte. These cells are not passive structural tissue. They are endocrine factories. One of their most critical functions is expression of CYP19A1, the aromatase enzyme responsible for converting androgens into estrogens. Local estrogen production inside the follicle is essential for follicular maturation, granulosa cell proliferation, oocyte competency, and ovulatory readiness. Without adequate aromatase activity, follicles fail to progress through the preantral-to-antral transition and undergo atresia. Egg quality deteriorates, ovulation becomes irregular, and reproductive potential declines.