Menstrual Cycle Physiology: Ovarian Cycle – Ovulation Explained Around Day 14, estrogen exerts sudden +++ positive feedback on the anterior pituitary (switch from negative to positive feedback poorly understood) -> surge in LH production and release LH causes: • Increased fluid production within the follicle • Enzymatic degradation of ovarian + follicle walls • Protrusion of follicle against ovary wall • Compression of oocyte towards one side of follicle => Ultimately, these forces release the oocyte into the uterine / fallopian tube (the oocyte is actually released about 36 hours after LH surges, even though it is commonly depicted as shown in the graph for clarity) #MenstrualCycle #OvarianCycle #pathophysiology #Ovulation #endocrinology