Neonatal mortality rate

controls development of female secondary sex characteristics

Assists in the maturation of the ovarian follicles

Causes endometrial mucosa to proliferate

Stimulate estrogenic cervical mucus

INHIBITS FSH production

STIMULATES LH production

Facilitates vaginal epithelium proliferation

Secretion of thick, viscous cervical mucus

Increases breast glandular tissue in preparation for breast feeding

Causes extrusion of ovum

Increases during follicular maturation

-->Hypothalamus secretes GnRH --> GnRH stimulates the ant. pituitary gland to secrete the gonadotropic hormone, FSH, and LH  --> Ovarian follicle matures under influence of FSH --> Ovarian follicle secretes increasing amounts of estrogen --> LH facilitates final maturation--> Follicular phase ends with ovulation

Outline the process of the

Follicular Phase

Ovum RELEASED--> Corpus luteum develops under influence of LH and produces increased amounts of Progesterone

IF fertilization occurs, fertilized ovum implants into endometrium and hCG is secreted

IF fertilization does NOT occur, corpus luteum degenerates, Estrogen and Progesterone decrease;

FSH and LH Increase

Outline the process of the

Luteal Phase

Follows ovulation

Influenced primarily by progesterone

Increase in vascularity of mucus

Increase in myometrial glandular secretions

Occurs in absence of fertilization

Corpus luteum begins to degenerate

Estrogen and progesterone levels fall

Escape of blood into the stromal cells of the endometrium

Part above the pelvic brim

Serves to support the weight of the enlarged pregnant uterus