Vitellogenesis is the process of laying down of yolk in the primary o0cyte.

It takes place in
The mature ovum or egg or secondary oocyte is spherical in shape, contains nucleus and is prophase
the
1.
in the body. larges e

3.4 Menstrual Cycle

The reproductive cycle in the female primates, e.g., monkeys, apes and human beings is called
menstrual cycle
The first menstruation begins at puberty and is called menarche.
In human females, menstruation is repeated at an average interval of about 28/29 days.
The cycle of events starting from one menstruation till the next one is called the menstrual cycle.
The menstrual cycle comprises of four phases: menstrual, follicular, ovulatory and luteal.
MenstrUal Phase
This phase marks the beginning of the cycle.
It lasts for roughly three to five days. The first day of menstruation marks day one of new cycle.
Production of LH gets considerably reduced. This causes degeneration of corpus luteum so that productíon of progestert
is greatly reduced. Production of estrogen is also reduced. This rapid estrogen and progesterone (secreted by cors
luteum) withdrawal induces changes in endometrium.
 Reproduction 53
Uterine
tissues, blood that o0zes from the and tissue fluid from
the
Castoll ruptured endometrial blood vessels,
ne surface pass out through the
dometrial vaginal opening. This menstruation. Maintenance of
sanitation during process is called
and mernstruation is very important.
icular
Phase or
Proliferative Phase
Thiphaseusually include cycle day 6-13 or 14 in a28 days cycle.
phase,the primary follicles in the ovary grow to become a
ring this fuly mature Graafian follicle.
(hanigesinthe
ovary and the uterus are induced by changes in the levels of pituitary and ovarian hormones. The
Tetion nof gonadotropins (LH and FSH) increases gradually during this phase.
stimulatess development of ovarian follicle and secretion of estrogen by tthemm. Estrogen stimulates the proliferation
TeFSH
oftheendometriunm of the uterine wall. Secretion of LH also increase during this phase.
yulatoryPhase
Soth LH and FSH attain a peak level in the mid| of the cycle.,
anid rise in plasma LH level, known as the LH surae leads to rupture of Graafian follicle and thereby the release
#um. This is called ovulation,

deal Phase or Secretory Phase

ti ohase usually includes cycle days 15 - 28 in a 28 days cycle.
renresents time between ovulation and the onset of next menses.
luteum, which secretes
wlbwing ovulation, LH stimulates the remnants of ovulated follicle to develop into corpus
endometrium. Such endometrium is
nogesterone. Progesterone is necessary for further growth and thickening of
neKessary for implantation. It also stimulates the uterine glands to produce watery mucuS.
ormone
levels
Pituitary

FSH H

Mature Developing Regressing

corpus luteum corpus luteum
follicle
Developing
follice

levels
hormone oMulation
Estrogen

Progesterone

15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29/1
Days 11 13
1 3 5 7
Follicular phase Luteal phase Next cycle
Menstruation (Proliferative phase) (Secretory phase) begins
menstrual cvcle
representation of various events during a
Fig.: Diagranmatic place.
ready for nourishing and anchoring blastocyst if fertilisation takes
ne uterine wall becomes
 3.5 54
rallopian The
ic During +
s secondary
itFertilisation menstruation e
and new thDuring
phases
Mammals, cycle.corpus
tube.copulation (d) (c) (b) (a) pregnancy
absence
Metestrous
gonadotrophicEstrousProestrous In
luteum
Theoocyte UnderAnestrous of is
an
estrous other human
ciliated
n released semen of - the indicator
degenerates. all
This than beings, events
is
and pregnancy - influence -This
- cycle.
cellsreleased This Thi s primates
hormones. is
is from in the is of of
fplantation phase preparatory is the menstrual the
othe the of normal This
this period
estrogen, resting do
te
siucOsa mature by menstrual
the phase is
characterised not
reproductive causes
for of period cycles
menstruate,
. of
Graafian penis terminates endometrium heat. phase disintegration
lum ceases cycle
into when
Development during stop
follicle the by phase
there and around
th
wiactivity which and
ithin24k vagina the of starts their
the is of
there
of an 50 the
ian of regression of of tothsexual e nosexualextendsyears
Ovarybythe corpus develop. the one endometrium is
female. Graafian or
cycle.
cyclebetween of no
tube luteum, several menstruation.
age;
vulation of is
pels This corpus called that Objective
mtG
follicles leading
e which ovarian menarche
process
received is luteum. an termed is
00cyttehe produces ocCur follicdle estrous tothe In
and
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is **yNCERÍ
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ly called
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e menopause
progesere Ters
into inseminat
the Fal na iniae dee