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Related Concept Videos

Ovarian Cycle01:27

Ovarian Cycle

The menstrual cycle includes a critical component known as the ovarian cycle, which undergoes two main phases each month—the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The follicular phase is variable and averaging around 14 days. Ovulation, triggered by a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), marks the transition between the two phases. The second phase, the luteal phase, is relatively consistent, lasting approximately 14 days, and is marked by the activity of the corpus luteum. While a cycle length...
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle01:30

Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle

The ovarian cycle is meticulously regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This cycle orchestrates the release of a mature oocyte, essential for reproduction.
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle.  At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
Oogenesis01:22

Oogenesis

Oogenesis,  the process of developing egg cells (female gametes), occurs within the ovaries and is fundamental to female fertility. This sequence begins during fetal development when diploid oogonia in the developing ovaries undergo mitotic divisions to produce primary oocytes. By birth, these primary oocytes enter prophase I of meiosis but become arrested in this stage, remaining suspended until puberty.
Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a layer of pre-granulosa cells, forming what is known...
Oogenesis02:07

Oogenesis

In human women, oogenesis produces one mature egg cell or ovum for every precursor cell that enters meiosis. This process differs in two unique ways from the equivalent procedure of spermatogenesis in males. First, meiotic divisions during oogenesis are asymmetric, meaning that a large oocyte (containing most of the cytoplasm) and minor polar body are produced as a result of meiosis I, and again following meiosis II. Since only oocytes will go on to form embryos if fertilized, this unequal...
Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration01:27

Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration

Calcium is an essential signaling molecule required for various cellular functions. Calcium pumps and ion channels on cell and organellar membranes, such as those on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), regulate calcium concentrations inside the cell. They remain closed, keeping the cytosolic calcium levels low at a resting state.
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...
Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle01:22

Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle

The ovarian cycle regulates endometrial changes throughout a single menstrual cycle via the coordinated action of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotrophins.
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Unraveling the Role of Discrete Areas of the Rat Brain in the Regulation of Ovulation through Reversible Inactivation by Tetrodotoxin Microinjections
11:04

Unraveling the Role of Discrete Areas of the Rat Brain in the Regulation of Ovulation through Reversible Inactivation by Tetrodotoxin Microinjections

Published on: September 3, 2020

Immune-like mechanisms in ovulation.

JoAnne S Richards1, Zhilin Liu, Masayuki Shimada

  • 1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. joanner@bcm.tmc.edu

Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism: TEM
|April 15, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Ovulation involves releasing an egg and surrounding cells. This process shares similarities with innate immune responses, involving specific cell receptors and signaling molecules.

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Methods for Studying Uterine Contributions to Pregnancy Establishment in an Ovariectomized Mouse Model
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Methods for Studying Uterine Contributions to Pregnancy Establishment in an Ovariectomized Mouse Model

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Last Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Unraveling the Role of Discrete Areas of the Rat Brain in the Regulation of Ovulation through Reversible Inactivation by Tetrodotoxin Microinjections
11:04

Unraveling the Role of Discrete Areas of the Rat Brain in the Regulation of Ovulation through Reversible Inactivation by Tetrodotoxin Microinjections

Published on: September 3, 2020

Methods for Studying Uterine Contributions to Pregnancy Establishment in an Ovariectomized Mouse Model
06:49

Methods for Studying Uterine Contributions to Pregnancy Establishment in an Ovariectomized Mouse Model

Published on: April 7, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Ovulation releases the oocyte and cumulus cells for fertilization.
  • Ovulation involves inflammation-like processes, including hyperemia and prostaglandin synthesis.
  • Existing views may be too narrow, potentially excluding immune system involvement.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose and explore the hypothesis that ovulation involves innate immune cell surveillance-response systems.
  • To investigate the role of innate immune signaling in the ovulatory process.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of gene and protein expression in ovarian granulosa and cumulus cells.
  • Assessment of cellular responses to immune-related signaling molecules during ovulation.

Main Results:

  • Ovarian granulosa and cumulus cells express Toll-like receptors 2 and 4.
  • These cells also express and respond to cytokines like interleukin-6 (IL-6) during ovulation.

Conclusions:

  • Ovulation may be better understood as a process involving innate immune surveillance.
  • The expression of Toll-like receptors and response to cytokines suggest a role for the immune system in ovulation.