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Related Concept Videos

Ovaries01:26

Ovaries

The ovaries are roughly the size of almonds and measure approximately 2 to 3 centimeters in length. These paired structures are situated within the pelvic region and are anchored by the mesovarium—a peritoneal extension that also connects them to the wider structure of the broad ligament. The support system extends to the suspensory ligament, housing blood and lymphatic vessels. In addition, the ovarian ligament tethers the ovaries to the uterus.
On the ovarian surface, a layer of cuboidal...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Folliculogenesis01:20

Folliculogenesis

Folliculogenesis is the development of ovarian follicles, the specialized structures within the ovarian cortex where oogenesis, or egg development, occurs. This process is essential for female reproductive health and begins during fetal development when primordial follicles are formed. Each primordial follicle comprises a primary oocyte in the center, surrounded by a single layer of squamous pre-granulosa cells. These follicles remain dormant in late prophase I of meiosis until triggered by...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Three-dimensional Reconstruction of the Vascular Architecture of the Passive CLARITY-cleared Mouse Ovary
12:38

Three-dimensional Reconstruction of the Vascular Architecture of the Passive CLARITY-cleared Mouse Ovary

Published on: December 10, 2017

The ovary: basic biology and clinical implications.

Joanne S Richards1, Stephanie A Pangas

  • 1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA. joanner@bcm.tmc.edu

The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|April 6, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Ovarian follicle development is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and intra-ovarian signaling pathways. Key regulators include TGF-beta/SMAD, WNT/FZD/beta-catenin, RAS/ERK1/2, and FOXO/FOXL2 transcription factors.

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular signaling

Background:

  • The classical model attributes ovarian follicle development to the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, involving gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH).
  • Ovarian steroids are known to influence GnRH secretion through negative and positive feedback mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on intra-ovarian signaling pathways that regulate follicular development.
  • To highlight the roles of specific signaling cascades and transcription factors in ovarian function.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from mutant mouse models.
  • Review of clinical evidence.

Main Results:

  • Emerging evidence points to numerous intra-ovarian signaling cascades influencing follicular development and gonadotropin action in a stage- and context-specific manner.
  • Key intra-ovarian regulators identified include the TGF-beta/SMAD, WNT/FZD/beta-catenin, and RAS/ERK1/2 signaling pathways.
  • FOXO and FOXL2 transcription factors are also significant regulators of ovarian follicular development.

Conclusions:

  • Intra-ovarian signaling pathways play a crucial role in regulating ovarian follicle development, complementing the classical hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis model.
  • Understanding these pathways offers insights into reproductive health and potential therapeutic targets.