Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

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 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.
Proliferative Phase01:20

Proliferative Phase

The proliferative phase typically occurs after menstruation and lasts between 6 to 13 days in a standard 28-day cycle. This phase involves the reconstruction of the endometrium, guided by estrogen produced by the developing ovarian follicle.
Notably, the stratum basale, the basal layer of the endometrium, including the basal parts of the uterine glands, remains unaffected by menstruation. Stem cells in this layer undergo mitosis, regenerating the stratum functionalis and thickening the...
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...
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...
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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Endometrial NCOR1 deficiency contributes to implantation failure in endometriosis-associated infertility.

iScience·2026
Same author

Forkhead box protein O1 and progesterone receptor expression in endometrial epithelial cells at embryo transfer time: case-control and mechanistic study.

F&S science·2026
Same author

YWHAZ loss is associated with endometrial dysfunction in proliferative-phase endometriosis.

Reproduction (Cambridge, England)·2026
Same author

Aberrant progesterone receptor (PGR) expression is associated with estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) expression in the endometrium from infertile women with endometriosis.

Molecular human reproduction·2026
Same author

Hyperspectral image analysis, the final frontier of endometrial receptivity testing?

Fertility and sterility·2026
Same author

Loss of uterine EGR2 contributes to age-associated decline in fertility in female mice.

microPublication biology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

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

Endometrial development and function in experimentally induced luteal phase deficiency.

Rebecca S Usadi1, Jeremy M Groll, Bruce A Lessey

  • 1Carolinas Medical Center, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Charlotte, North Carolina 28232-2861, USA. Rebecca.Usadi@carolinashealthcare.org

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|July 24, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Histological dating and functional markers do not reliably indicate luteal phase deficiency (LPD). Low progesterone levels may impact endometrial function in ways not yet detected by standard assays.

More Related Videos

Isolation of Human Endometrial Stromal Cells for In Vitro Decidualization
14:55

Isolation of Human Endometrial Stromal Cells for In Vitro Decidualization

Published on: September 1, 2018

Establishing 3D Endometrial Organoids from the Mouse Uterus
06:24

Establishing 3D Endometrial Organoids from the Mouse Uterus

Published on: January 6, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 3, 2026

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

Isolation of Human Endometrial Stromal Cells for In Vitro Decidualization
14:55

Isolation of Human Endometrial Stromal Cells for In Vitro Decidualization

Published on: September 1, 2018

Establishing 3D Endometrial Organoids from the Mouse Uterus
06:24

Establishing 3D Endometrial Organoids from the Mouse Uterus

Published on: January 6, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive endocrinology
  • Gynecologic pathology

Background:

  • Luteal phase deficiency (LPD) is often assumed to stem from low progesterone (P) levels, leading to delayed endometrial development.
  • This widely held hypothesis has not been directly tested through experimentation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To experimentally evaluate the direct effects of varying progesterone (P) concentrations on human endometrial development and function.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized trial involving 29 healthy women was conducted.
  • Participants underwent GnRH agonist and estradiol treatment, followed by randomization to receive either normal or experimentally reduced progesterone (P) levels for 10 days.
  • Endometrial tissue was analyzed using histological dating, immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, and qRT-PCR.

Main Results:

  • Histological dating, immunohistochemistry for integrins, and qRT-PCR for nine functional markers showed no significant differences between groups with normal and low progesterone (P).
  • Preliminary Western blot analysis indicated potential effects of low P on certain proteins.

Conclusions:

  • Histological endometrial dating is not a reliable bioassay for assessing luteal function quality or reflecting circulating progesterone (P) levels.
  • Standard assessments of functional markers via immunohistochemistry or qRT-PCR are insensitive to decreased circulating P.
  • Emerging evidence suggests that low luteal phase P may have undetected functional consequences on the endometrium.