ovulation
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Introduction
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]