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ovulation

The discharge of a secondary oocyte from a vesicular follicle of the ovary. The oocyte traverses the fallopian tube to enter the uterus where, if fertilized by a spermatozoa, the embryo implants in the endometrium. Thus begins gestation of a newly conceived fetus. Laboratory: - ovulation is marked in the menstrual cycle by the end of the follicular phase & the beginning of the luteal phase - serum estradiol peaks followed by one day in a surge of serum FSH & serum LH at the time of ovulation - home urine LH kits used for identifying ovulation* , * increased plasma LH in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome resulting in increased urine LH can give the false impression of ovulation [2]

Related

menstrual (estrous) cycle

General

physiologic process

References

  1. Dorland's Medical Dictionary, 23rd ed., WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 1990
  2. Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 17, American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2015