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

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...
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...
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...
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...
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...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Epidemiology and characteristics of cases with monkeypox virus clade I in the WHO European Region, 2024 to 2025.

Euro surveillance : bulletin Europeen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletin·2026
Same author

Impact of ovarian preservation on survival for premenopausal women with early-stage endometrial carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics·2026
Same author

Lead concentration in follicular fluid of infertile patients with and without endometriosis: a propensity score matching exploratory study.

Frontiers in endocrinology·2026
Same author

Prolonged conservative treatment of women with atypical endometrial hyperplasia and early endometrial carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology·2026
Same author

An Update on Umbilical Cord Abnormalities and Associated Thrombosis: A Systematic Review.

Clinics and practice·2026
Same author

From Endometriosis to Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms, Risk Stratification and Clinical Implications.

Cancers·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Performing Vaginal Lavage, Crystal Violet Staining, and Vaginal Cytological Evaluation for Mouse Estrous Cycle Staging Identification
09:01

Performing Vaginal Lavage, Crystal Violet Staining, and Vaginal Cytological Evaluation for Mouse Estrous Cycle Staging Identification

Published on: September 15, 2012

Endometrial LGR7 expression during menstrual cycle.

Maria Rosaria Campitiello1, Pasquale De Franciscis, Daniela Mele

  • 1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.

Fertility and Sterility
|February 18, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Researchers studied the relaxin receptor (LGR7) in the endometrium of healthy women. LGR7 is present throughout the cycle, with higher levels in the secretory phase, suggesting a role in implantation.

More Related Videos

Platform for Quantitative Detection of Endometrial Immune Cells Based on Immunohistochemistry and Digital Image Analysis
07:46

Platform for Quantitative Detection of Endometrial Immune Cells Based on Immunohistochemistry and Digital Image Analysis

Published on: October 13, 2023

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: Jun 4, 2026

Performing Vaginal Lavage, Crystal Violet Staining, and Vaginal Cytological Evaluation for Mouse Estrous Cycle Staging Identification
09:01

Performing Vaginal Lavage, Crystal Violet Staining, and Vaginal Cytological Evaluation for Mouse Estrous Cycle Staging Identification

Published on: September 15, 2012

Platform for Quantitative Detection of Endometrial Immune Cells Based on Immunohistochemistry and Digital Image Analysis
07:46

Platform for Quantitative Detection of Endometrial Immune Cells Based on Immunohistochemistry and Digital Image Analysis

Published on: October 13, 2023

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 biology
  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular biology

Background:

  • The hormone relaxin plays a role in reproduction.
  • The specific function of relaxin in the human endometrium is not fully understood.
  • LGR7 is identified as the primary receptor for relaxin.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression and localization of LGR7 mRNA in the human endometrium.
  • To determine the role of LGR7 in the menstrual cycle and potential involvement in embryo implantation.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective observational study involving 50 healthy women aged 18-39 years.
  • Endometrial biopsy samples collected during the proliferative and secretory phases.
  • Semiquantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis for LGR7 mRNA.
  • Immunohistochemical staining for LGR7 protein expression.

Main Results:

  • LGR7 mRNA is constitutively expressed in the human endometrium.
  • LGR7 protein demonstrated increased immunostaining in the secretory phase compared to the proliferative phase.
  • Expression patterns suggest a cyclical regulation of LGR7 in the endometrium.

Conclusions:

  • Relaxin receptor (LGR7) is present and active in the human endometrium.
  • Increased LGR7 expression during the secretory phase indicates its involvement in endometrial physiology.
  • Findings suggest a potential role for relaxin and LGR7 in the process of embryo implantation.