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Related Concept Videos

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.
The Menstrual Cycle01:19

The Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle is a recurrent sequence of changes in the uterine endometrium, specifically its functional layer, the stratum functionalis. This cycle prepares the uterus for potential pregnancy. This cycle typically spans 21–35 days, averaging 28 days, and aligns with the ovarian cycle, regulated by fluctuating levels of ovarian hormones, primarily estrogen and progesterone.
The menstrual phase occurs from days 1 to 5 and involves the shedding of the stratum functionalis, as a uterine...
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...
Menses Phase01:18

Menses Phase

The uterine cycle begins with the menstrual phase, which is considered day one of the cycle and typically lasts about five days. This phase is characterized by the degeneration and shedding of the stratum functionalis, the functional layer of the endometrium.
When fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum deteriorates, causing a significant drop in the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body. This hormonal decrease triggers the release of prostaglandins, which cause the uterine...
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...
Secretory Phase01:19

Secretory Phase

The secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, spanning from day 14 to 28 in a typical 28-day cycle, is a period of significant physiological changes in the female reproductive system. This phase commences immediately after ovulation and is characterized by the preparation of the endometrium for potential embryo implantation.
Following ovulation, the corpus luteum, a temporary endocrine structure, produces progesterone and estrogens. These hormones stimulate the growth and coiling of endometrial...

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Related Experiment Video

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Rodent Estrous Cycle Monitoring Utilizing Vaginal Lavage: No Such Thing As a Normal Cycle
09:05

Rodent Estrous Cycle Monitoring Utilizing Vaginal Lavage: No Such Thing As a Normal Cycle

Published on: August 30, 2021

Interhemispheric interaction during the menstrual cycle.

Ulrike Bayer1, Nina Kessler, Onur Güntürkün

  • 1Department of Psychology, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom. ulrike.bayer@durham.ac.uk

Neuropsychologia
|April 19, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Sex hormone levels, particularly progesterone, influence brain function. This study found that interhemispheric integration fluctuates with the menstrual cycle, being reduced during menses and enhanced in the luteal phase.

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Evaluation of Hemisphere Lateralization with Bilateral Local Field Potential Recording in Secondary Motor Cortex of Mice
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Evaluation of Hemisphere Lateralization with Bilateral Local Field Potential Recording in Secondary Motor Cortex of Mice

Published on: July 31, 2019

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07:03

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Published on: July 31, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Interhemispheric inhibition is modulated by sex hormones, with progesterone (P) potentially reducing it.
  • Understanding hormone-dependent changes in brain function is crucial for cognitive research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of fluctuating sex hormone levels on interhemispheric integration.
  • To compare cognitive performance across different hormonal states (menses, midluteal phase) and in different demographic groups (premenopausal women, postmenopausal women, men).

Main Methods:

  • Utilized two versions of the Banich-Belger task (physical and semantic identity matching) and the Poffenberger task to assess interhemispheric transfer time (IHTT).
  • Tested 17 normally cycling women during low progesterone (menses) and high progesterone (midluteal) phases.
  • Compared results with 15 postmenopausal women and 28 younger male controls.

Main Results:

  • A significant across-field advantage (AFA) was observed in the demanding semantic task for all groups.
  • Normally cycling women showed a reduced AFA during menses, indicating decreased interhemispheric integration.
  • Interhemispheric transfer time (IHTT) remained stable across cycle phases; AFA increased during the luteal phase.

Conclusions:

  • Interhemispheric integration varies across the menstrual cycle, with reduced function during menses.
  • Hormonal conditions during the luteal phase appear to support more efficient interhemispheric integration.
  • Transcallosal mechanisms are significantly altered by the permanent reduction of sex hormones seen in men and postmenopausal women, facilitating efficient integration without progesterone modulation.