Ovulation

Ovulation is the release of a mature egg from an ovarian follicle. It occurs as part of the menstrual cycle and makes the egg available for fertilization.

Luteinizing hormone: A pituitary hormone that triggers final egg maturation and ovulation when its level surges. Its midcycle surge initiates the events that release the egg.
Oocyte: A developing female germ cell that can mature into an ovum. The cell released at ovulation is a secondary oocyte, not a fully mature ovum.
Fertile window: The days in a menstrual cycle when intercourse can result in conception. It includes ovulation and the preceding days when sperm can survive.
Fertilization: The fusion of a sperm cell with an egg to form a zygote. Ovulation makes an egg available for this event.
Follicle-stimulating hormone: A pituitary hormone that supports ovarian follicle growth and egg development. It helps follicles grow before one becomes ready to ovulate.
Folliculogenesis: The process by which ovarian follicles grow and mature. Follicle development creates the structure capable of releasing an egg.
Ovulation predictor kit: A home test that detects the urinary luteinizing-hormone rise preceding ovulation. It estimates when ovulation is likely by detecting its hormonal trigger.
Implantation: The attachment and embedding of an early embryo in the uterine lining. It can follow fertilization of an egg released at ovulation.
Ovarian follicle: A fluid-filled ovarian structure containing an immature egg and supporting cells. The mature follicle ruptures to release the egg.
Estrogen: A group of steroid hormones involved in reproductive development and menstrual-cycle regulation. Rising estrogen from the dominant follicle helps trigger the ovulatory hormone surge.

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