The review of research is a continuation of the discussion of modern concepts of folliculogenesis. Initiation of follicular growth and follicular basal growth to the stage of small antral follicles are regulated by specific factors and signaling pathways that relate to intraovarian, para- and autocrine modulators. The recruitment of primordial follicles is mainly controlled by paracrine modulators of inhibitory and activating factors, mediated by growth factors. The hypothesis has been put forward that oocyte itself participates in the initiation of follicular growth. Experimental studies have established the major signaling pathways regulating early follicle- and oogenesis by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). In addition, the recruitment of primordial follicles involves factors secreted by somatic cells of the environment (the stromal and interstitial cells): KGF (keratinocyte growth factor), BMP4 and BMP7 (bone morphogenetic protein 4 and 7), PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor), LIF (leukemia inhibitory factor). The initial stages of folliculogenesis regulate: Foxl2, CDF9, Nobox (newborn oogenesis homeobox protein), SOHLH1, AMH (Anti-Müllerian hormone), NT (neurotrophin). A key role in the coordination of preantral folliculogenesis belongs oocyte-secreted factors GDF9 and BMP15, and connexins (Cx) 37 and 43 — membrane proteins from the family of intercellular gap junctions. Local Hippo signals inhibit cell proliferation and stimulate apoptosis, limit preantral folliculogenesis. A detailed study of the factors of early folliculogenesis allow to disclose the mechanisms leading to compensatory processes in the ovaries when they are damaged, that will be the basis for creating new schemes of prevention and treatment of ovarian insufficiency.