Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 21, 2025

Methods for Studying Uterine Contributions to Pregnancy Establishment in an Ovariectomized Mouse Model
Published on: April 7, 2023
Hormonal Biophysiology of the Uterus
Liane Deligdisch-Schor1,2, Angelica Mareş Miceli3
1Professor Emeritus, Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. Liane.deligdisch@mssm.edu.
Abstract:
Intrauterine development of the uterus is promoted by the hormonal influence of the maternal steroid sex hormones on the female fetus. The cyclic activity of the endometrium starts at puberty, at menarche, and is controlled by the pituitary hormones (FSH and LH) and steroid ovarian hormones, the latter acting on the target tissue-the endometrium. The proliferative and secretory cyclic changes of the endometrium prepare the uterus for implantation of a fertilized ovum. Ovarian failure to secrete steroid hormones results in the menopausal gradual atrophy of the endometrium.
Related Concept Videos
Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
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...
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
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...
Histology of the Uterus
The endometrium is the...
Gonadal and Placental Hormones
In males, testosterone is the primary gonadal androgen. It plays a central role in the maturation of male reproductive organs — the penis and testes. Additionally, testosterone is instrumental in the development of secondary sexual characteristics — a deep voice as well as facial and pubic hair...
Ovarian Cycle
Target Cell Response to Hormones
Notably, the cellular response can be regulated by altering the number of receptors expressed in the cell. For example, prolonged exposure to elevated hormone levels results in a gradual decline or down-regulation in the number of receptors for that specific hormone on the cell surface. Conversely, in response to low hormone levels, cells may use up-regulation, producing an...

