Ovulation induction

Mature oocyte (metaphase II oocyte)

The oocyteA female reproductive cell. At birth, the ovaries contain 1 to 2 million oocytes. At puberty, there are no more than 400'000 to 500'000 left. Only 400 to 500 will reach maturity and ovulation at a rate of  one per month until menopause. All the others will finally degenerate at various stages of development. is not fertilizable by the spermEjaculated spermatozoa and secretions during the male orgasm. unless it has first resumed its meiotic division and expelled the first polar body. It is then considered to be mature.

Example of a mature oocyteA female reproductive cell. At birth, the ovaries contain 1 to 2 million oocytes. At puberty, there are no more than 400'000 to 500'000 left. Only 400 to 500 will reach maturity and ovulation at a rate of  one per month until menopause. All the others will finally degenerate at various stages of development.. One distinguishes the polar body at 11 o'clock indicating the resumption of meiosis

In a natural cycle, oocyteA female reproductive cell. At birth, the ovaries contain 1 to 2 million oocytes. At puberty, there are no more than 400'000 to 500'000 left. Only 400 to 500 will reach maturity and ovulation at a rate of  one per month until menopause. All the others will finally degenerate at various stages of development. maturation and ovulationThe release of the egg from the ovary. A mature follicle bursts, expelling the egg it contains into the fallopian tube. This usually occurs around the middle of the menstrual cycle. are induced by the peak of luteinizing hormone (LHLuteinizing hormone. Hormone secreted by the pituitary gland, triggering on the one hand the expulsion of the ovum by the mature follicle and stimulating on the other hand the production of progesterone by the corpus luteum.), which is produced by the pituitaryEndocrine gland at the base of the brain which secretes hormones (FSH, LH) essential for reproductive function. gland. In a stimulated cycle, the administration of hCGHuman chorionic gonadotropin. Hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. It causes the secretion of estrogen and progesterone by the corpus luteum to support the growth of the uterine lining. It also prevents menstruation in the first days of pregnancy. (pregnancy hormone) can mimic the action of LHLuteinizing hormone. Hormone secreted by the pituitary gland, triggering on the one hand the expulsion of the ovum by the mature follicle and stimulating on the other hand the production of progesterone by the corpus luteum.. This is called ovulation inductionInduction of ovulation. Ovulation can be triggered by exogenous hormones, administered by injection, for example by HCG. Sometimes the term induction of ovulation is also used as a synonym for ovarian stimulation.. Various natural and synthetic hormonesSubstances secreted by the endocrine glands. Hormones act as chemical messengers for regulating metabolic processes throughout the body. can be used for this purpose.

During an IVF cycle, the ovulation inductionInduction of ovulation. Ovulation can be triggered by exogenous hormones, administered by injection, for example by HCG. Sometimes the term induction of ovulation is also used as a synonym for ovarian stimulation. is usually planned 36 hours before the scheduled time of follicular punctureOocyte retrieval in ovarian follicles in women for in vitro fertilization. The vaginal oocyte retrieval is generally performed under a light general anesthesia, and is carried out by puncturing each mature follicle under ultrasound guidance. (oocyteA female reproductive cell. At birth, the ovaries contain 1 to 2 million oocytes. At puberty, there are no more than 400'000 to 500'000 left. Only 400 to 500 will reach maturity and ovulation at a rate of  one per month until menopause. All the others will finally degenerate at various stages of development. pick-up).