Follicular phase - wikipedia Follicular phase Menstrual cycle The follicular phase is the phase of the estrous cycle, ( or, in humans and great apes, the menstrual cycle ) during which follicles in the ovary mature. It ends with ovulation. The main hormone controlling this stage is estradiol. Contents 1 Hormonal events 1.1 Follicle recruitment 1.2 Estrogen surge 1.3 LH surge and ovulation 2 Follicular waves 3 References Hormonal events Follicle recruitment Follicle - stimulating hormone ( FSH ) is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. FSH secretion begins to rise in the last few days of the previous menstrual cycle, and is highest and most important during the first week of the follicular phase. The rise in FSH levels recruits five to seven tertiary - stage ovarian follicles ( this stage follicle is also known as a Graafian follicle or antral follicle ) for entry into the menstrual cycle. These follicles, that have been growing for the better part of a year in a process known as folliculogenesis, compete with each other for dominance. FSH induces the proliferation of granulosa cells in the developing follicles, and the expression of luteinizing hormone ( LH ) receptors on these granulosa cells. Under the influence of FSH, aromatase and p450 enzymes are activated, causing the granulosa cells to begin to secrete estrogen. This increased level of estrogen stimulates production of gonadotropin - releasing hormone ( GnRH ), which increases production of LH. LH induces androgen synthesis by thecal cells, stimulates proliferation, differentiation, and secretion of follicular thecal cells and increases LH receptor expression on granulosa cells. Throughout the entire follicular phase, rising estrogen levels in the blood stimulates growth of the endometrium and myometrium of the uterus. It also causes endometrial cells to produce receptors for progesterone, which helps prime the endometrium to respond to rising levels of progesterone during the late proliferative phase and throughout the luteal phase. Estrogen surge Two or three days before LH levels begin to increase, usually by day seven of the cycle, one ( or occasionally two ) of the recruited follicles has emerged as dominant. Many endocrinologists believe that the estrogen secretion of the dominant follicle has increased to a level that GnRH production is suppressed, which lowers the levels of LH and FSH. This slowdown in LH and FSH production leads to the atresia ( death ) of most of the recruited follicles, though the dominant follicle continues to mature. Estrogen levels will continue to increase for several days ( on average, six days, but this varies widely ). These high estrogen levels initiate the formation of a new layer of endometrium in the uterus, histologically identified as the proliferative endometrium. Crypts in the cervix are also stimulated to produce fertile cervical mucus. This mucus reduces the acidity of the vagina, creating a more hospitable environment for sperm. It also has a characteristic texture that helps guide sperm through the cervix and to the fallopian tubes, where they wait for ovulation. In addition, basal body temperature may lower slightly under the influence of high estrogen levels. LH surge and ovulation Estrogen levels are highest right before the LH surge begins. The short - term drop in steroid hormones between the beginning of the LH surge and the event of ovulation may cause mid-cycle spotting or bleeding. Under the influence of the preovulatory LH surge, the first meiotic division of the oocytes is completed. The surge also initiates luteinization of thecal and granulosa cells. Ovulation normally occurs 30 ( ± 2 ) hours after the beginning of the LH surge ( when LH is first detectable in urine ). Follicular waves The time from recruitment of tertiary stage follicles to ovulation, is normally about two weeks, comprising days 1 - 14 of an idealized 28 - day menstrual cycle. However, it is common for the follicular phase to last much longer, as sometimes no dominant follicle is selected. In this case, more tertiary stage follicles are usually recruited, and the process begins again. One study of women with regular menstrual cycles found that none of them ovulated after the first wave of follicle development : 68 % of cycles showed ovulation after the second wave, while 32 % of cycles showed ovulation after the third wave. Fertility awareness sources may refer to multiple waves of follicular development as a split peak because of the characteristic pattern of cervical mucus changes that is sometimes observed. References Jump up ^ Bagnell, C ( 2005 ). `` Animal Reproduction ''. Rutgers University Department of Animal Sciences. ^ Jump up to : Weschler, Toni ( 2002 ). Taking Charge of Your Fertility ( Revised ed. ). New York : HarperCollins. pp. 359 -- 361. ISBN 0 - 06 - 093764 - 5. ^ Jump up to : Dee Unglaub Silverthorn ( 2004 ). Human physiology : an integrated approach ( Third ed. ). San Francisco : Pearson / Benjamin Cummings. Chapter 26 : Reproduction and Development, and Chapter 23 Endocrine control of growth and metabolism. ISBN 0 - 13 - 102015 - 3. ^ Jump up to : Strang, Eric P. Widmaier, Hershel Raff, Kevin T. ( 2006 ). Vander 's human physiology the mechanisms of body function ( 10th ed. ). Boston : McGraw - Hill. p. 678. ISBN 0 - 07 - 111677 - X. Jump up ^ Stenchever Droegemuller Herbst Mishell ( 2001 ). Comprehensive Gynecology ( Fourth ed. ). St. Louise, Missouri : Mosby. p. 87. ISBN 0 - 323 - 01402 - X. Jump up ^ Weschler ( 2002 ), p. 57 Jump up ^ Weschler ( 2002 ), illustrations p. 59 and p. 3 of color insert Jump up ^ Ellington, Joanna ( 2004 ). `` Sperm Transport to the Fallopian Tubes ''. Frequently Asked Questions with Dr. E. INGfertility Inc. Archived from the original on 2006 - 07 - 13. Retrieved 2006 - 08 - 13. Jump up ^ Weschler ( 2002 ), pp. 54,306,310 Jump up ^ Weschler ( 2002 ), p. 65 Jump up ^ Susan B. Bullivant ; Sarah A. Sellergren ; Kathleen Stern ; et al. ( February 2004 ). `` Women 's sexual experience during the menstrual cycle : identification of the sexual phase by noninvasive measurement of luteinizing hormone ''. Journal of Sex Research. 41 ( 1 ) : 82 -- 93. PMID 15216427. doi : 10.1080 / 00224490409552216. Jump up ^ Baerwald A, Adams G, Pierson R ( 2003 ). `` A new model for ovarian follicular development during the human menstrual cycle ''. Fertil Steril. 80 ( 1 ) : 116 -- 22. PMID 12849812. doi : 10.1016 / S0015 - 0282 ( 03 ) 00544 - 2. Jump up ^ Weschler ( 2002 ), pp. 131 - 2 Human physiology and endocrinology of sexual reproduction Tanner scale Menstrual cycle Menarche Menstruation Follicular phase Ovulation Luteal phase Gametogenesis Spermatogenesis ( spermatogonium spermatocyte spermatid sperm ) Oogenesis ( oogonium oocyte ootid ovum ) Germ cell ( gonocyte gamete ) Human sexual behavior Sexual arousal Sexual intercourse Masturbation Erection Orgasm Ejaculation Insemination Fertilisation / Fertility Implantation Pregnancy Postpartum period Mechanics of sex Life span Prenatal development / Sexual dimorphism / Sexual differentiation ( Feminization Virilization ) Puberty ( Gonadarche Pubarche Menarche Spermarche Adrenarche ) Maternal age / Paternal age Climacteric ( Menopause Late - onset hypogonadism ) Egg Ovum Oviposition Oviparity Ovoviviparity Vivipary Reproductive endocrinology and infertility Hypothalamic -- pituitary -- gonadal axis Hypothalamic -- pituitary -- prolactin axis Andrology Hormone Breast Thelarche Breast development Lactation Breastfeeding Menstrual cycle Events and phases Menstruation Follicular phase Ovulation Luteal phase Life stages Menarche Menopause Tracking Signs Basal body temperature Cervical mucus Mittelschmerz Systems Fertility awareness Calendar - based methods Billings Ovulation Method Creighton Model Suppression Extended cycle combined hormonal contraceptive Lactational amenorrhea Disorders Amenorrhea Anovulation Dysmenorrhea Hypomenorrhea Irregular menstruation Menometrorrhagia Menorrhagia Metrorrhagia Oligomenorrhea Related events Folliculogenesis Menstrual synchrony Premenstrual syndrome / Premenstrual dysphoric disorder Sexual activity In culture and religion Chhaupadi Menstrual taboo Niddah Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Follicular_phase&oldid=756491586 '' Categories : Reproductive system Human female endocrine system Hidden categories : All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from February 2013 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Français Português کوردی Türkçe 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 24 December 2016, at 16 : 57. 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Question: when does the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle occur
Answer: The follicular phase is the phase of the estrous cycle, (or, in humans and great apes, the menstrual cycle) during which follicles in the ovary mature