The ovarian stroma is the substance of the ovary—a connective tissue that binds structures together and is enriched with blood vessels, cells, and several hundred thousand follicles.

The stromal cells play a role in follicle development where cells around the follicle bind with luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary and produce androgens (male hormones). These androgens are converted into estrogen, which enters the bloodstream.