Menstrual Cycle Physiology: Ovarian Cycle – Ovulation Explained



Around Day 14, estrogen exerts sudden +++ positive feedback on the anterior pituitary (switch from negative to positive feedback poorly understood) -> surge in LH production and release

LH causes:

 • Increased fluid production within the follicle

 • Enzymatic degradation of ovarian + follicle walls

 • Protrusion of follicle against ovary wall

 • Compression of oocyte towards one side of follicle

=> Ultimately, these forces release the oocyte into the uterine / fallopian tube (the oocyte is actually released about 36 hours after LH surges, even though it is commonly depicted as shown in the graph for clarity)



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