Female Reproductive Physiology
Start with the big picture
The lesson follows oocyte development from fetal life, including the arrest of primary oocytes and the condition required for meiosis II to finish. It traces folliculogenesis from primordial to dominant Graafian follicle and outlines the ovarian cycle’s follicular, ovulatory, and luteal phases. The endometrial cycle is presented through menstrual shedding, estrogen-driven proliferation, and progesterone-associated secretory preparation. These cycles are linked to GnRH, FSH, LH, estrogen, and progesterone, including the high-estrogen feedback that contributes to the LH surge and progesterone’s negative feedback on GnRH and gonadotropins.
What you'll learn
- Describe the roles of the ovaries and the basic organization of ovarian tissue.
- Outline the stages of folliculogenesis and the key events of oogenesis.
- Differentiate the phases of the ovarian and endometrial cycles.
- Explain how the HPO axis coordinates ovarian hormones and cycle events.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.
