BIO 252 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Follicular Phase, Pubic Hair, Ovulation
Document Summary
Like the testis the ovary also has a dual function which is the production of the gametes and the secretion of the hormones controlling sexual activity in females. However, unlike the testis, the production of the ova is not continuous throughout life. In fact all the potential egg cells or primary oocytes are present in the ovary at birth. They are produced by the division of the germ cells called oogonia during fetal development. The other difference between the production of egg cells (oogenesis) and that of the sperm (spermatogenesis) is it s cyclical in nature. In a human female, an ovum reaches maturity approximately once every 28 days. Its release from the ovary is called ovulation, is timed to coincide with a number of events, including the preparation of the uterine endometrium to receive a fertilized egg. This is a monthly cycle or menstrual cycle. In human females, ovulation occurs at the mid- point of the menstrual cycle.
