Polycystic ovary: false-colour scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a polycystic ovary, showing a number of cystic follicles bulging from the wall of an ovary. These follicles are sterile; ovulation, the release of an egg cell, will not take place. In polycystic disease, the ovarian follicles enlarge & become filled with a fluid. Multiple ovarian cysts are often associated with the Stein-Leventhal syndrome, which is characterized by scanty or absent menstruation, obesity, infertility & hirsuitism (hairiness). The cause is an imbalance in pituitary hormone output. Magnification: x200 at 6x7cm size.