Question

Draw a labelled diagram of a section through the ovary showing different stages of follicles, ovulation and corpus luteum.

Answer 1

Ovary:

It is a pair of female glands in which the formation of eggs takes place and the formation of female hormones, that is, progesterone and estrogen takes place.

Menstrual cycle:

1. The females attaining the age of reproduction, that is, between the ages of eleven to sixteen encounter hormonal activity cycles known as the menstrual cycle. It repeats at about 1-month intervals.
2. The periodic detaching of the lining of the uterus is known as menstruation.
3. The time of a normal menstrual cycle is about 28 days and takes place in phases.

The following are the phases of the menstrual cycle:

The follicular phase:

1. It begins on the first day of menstruation and terminates with ovulation.
2. During the phase, the pituitary gland discharges FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone), which instigates the ovary to generate around 5 to 20 follicles that bead on the surface.
3. These hormones further enhance the production of estrogen, that is, the female hormone.
4. During the follicular phase, the development of the egg takes place.

The ovulatory phase:

1. Also known as ovulation, generally begins about fourteen days post the initiation of the follicular phase.
2. At the time of this phase, the elevation in estrogen level makes the main follicle discharge its egg from the ovary.
3. The egg after release is captivated by finger-like things on the terminal of the fallopian tubes, that is, fimbriae.

Luteal phase:

1. This phase begins immediately after ovulation.
2. After releasing the egg, the vacant ovarian follicle grows into a new composition known as the corpus luteum.
3. The corpus luteum secretes the hormones progesterone and estrogen.
4. The progesterone hormone makes the uterus to get prepared for the implantation of the fertilized egg.