Nevertheless, with regard to the early stage follicles, it
is possible that they were unable to produce estrogen
due to pituitary involvement and a decrease or elimination
of GtH I and II production. Consequently, the
follicles may have experienced shock and shut down
following 24 h of organophosphate exposure. Note that
estradiol levels were undetectable after 24 h of exposure
(the blood serum estradiol levels in the control group
had a mean of 101:53 pg=mL).