What happens during ovulation when your ovaries release an egg? It’s totally unhinged! During the fertile phase of a woman’s menstrual cycle around 15 to 30 eggs begin to mature in fluid-filled follicles, with only the largest follicle reaching ovulation. The follicle ruptures, releasing an egg into the fallopian tube, where fertilization may occur within 24 hours. A complex hormonal interplay regulates ovulation, though the mechanics are still largely unknown due to the challenges of studying such processes within the ovaries. A recent study successfully captured the three phases of ovulation in real-time under high-resolution microscopy. The first phase, follicle expansion, is driven by hyaluronic acid, causing fluid intake and follicle growth. In the second phase, muscle cells in the follicle’s outer layer contract. Finally, in the third phase, the follicle ruptures, releasing the egg. These findings, according to the study’s authors, confirm ovulation as an independent process; while an external signal acts as a trigger, the sequence of steps then unfolds independently within the follicle. The team’s new methods could enhance understanding of ovulation and contribute to human fertility research. Author: Mira Fricke Source/Study: Thomas, C.; Marx, T.L.; Penir, S.M.; & Schuh, M.: Ex vivo imaging reveals the spatiotemporal control of ovulation. Nature Cell Biology #STEMTok #ScienceTok #science #learnontiktok #dwscience #dwhealth #fertility #TTC #biology #incrediblescience #ovulating