During fetal development-follicular atresia is an ongoing process from fetal development until follicle depletion,which most often occurs after 40 years of age. oocyte number peaks at ~7-10 million follicles duringthe second trimester (~28 weeks of fetal development), and these numbers then decline rapidly.distracter explanations:1) rates of atresia are high during toddler years and before puberty - at puberty most women have~300,000 follicles. however, women have ~7-10 million follicles at ~28 weeks of development, andtherefore `6 million follicles undergo atresia before birth - which is a much greater loss.2) approximately 300,000 follicles are lost between puberty and menopause.3) the majority of follicles are lost before the peri-menopause - and the loss of follicles is the cause ofpremature ovarian failure or menopause.