How does the egg cell form?

Mature women release eggs every month. If they can combine with sperm, they can form a fertilized egg, and finally a baby can be conceived. Therefore, eggs are very important for women. The process of egg formation is actually quite complicated. For the sake of popular science, I can only give you a brief introduction here. For women who want to have children, only healthy and mature eggs can lead to successful conception. In daily life, you must pay attention to physiology and health care, which are all conducive to the health of the eggs. For example, you should get more rest, pay attention to diet, maintain an optimistic and cheerful attitude, and avoid some bad habits. In addition, you should pay attention to the cleanliness of your private parts and prevent gynecological diseases.

The process of egg formation

What is the process of egg formation? The egg is produced by the ovary and has a diameter of about 20mm. Under the influence of sex hormones, only one oogonia matures each month. The mature oogonia undergoes meiosis to form four daughter cells, one of which is called an egg and the other three are called polar bodies (which eventually degenerate and disappear).

During the embryonic period, oogonia (the original reproductive egg cells) have already divided and differentiated to produce primary oocytes. When sexual maturity is reached, under the influence of sex hormones, the primary oocytes continue to develop and the follicles gradually increase in size. During this period, the primary oocyte completes the first meiotic division to form a secondary oocyte and a polar body. The polar body can divide again, but cannot be fertilized and develop.

After the secondary oocyte enters the fallopian tube, it undergoes the second meiotic division in the fallopian tube. The second meiotic division of the secondary oocyte forms an egg cell and a polar body. At the same time, the previous polar body becomes two polar bodies in the second meiotic division. Finally, all three polar bodies die, leaving only the egg.

Oocyte formation time

The formation of eggs must first go through the shedding of the endometrium. The shedding of the endometrium is cyclical, once a month, and it is affected by the cyclical changes in ovarian endocrine secretions. Each time the endometrium is shed, the follicles in the ovaries begin to develop. Under the influence of the estrogen they secrete, the endometrium begins to grow and thicken again. The endometrium at this time is called the proliferative phase.

Around the middle of the menstrual cycle, to be exact 14 days before the next menstrual period. The follicle in the ovary ovulates (taking a 28-day cycle as an example, the ovulation day is the 14th day). After ovulation, the follicle forms a corpus luteum, which can secrete estrogen and progesterone. These hormones act on the endometrium, making it thicker, the blood vessels more curved and congested, and the glands thicker and expanded to secrete a lot of nutrients. The endometrium at this time is called the secretory phase.

If the egg released this month is not fertilized, the corpus luteum in the ovary will degenerate, the production of estrogen and progesterone will decrease, the endometrium will not receive the support of estrogen and progesterone, and it will atrophy and collapse. The blood vessels in the endometrium will spasm and contract, and finally rupture and bleed. The endometrial layer will peel off from the uterine cavity and be discharged through the vagina. This is menstruation. In women of childbearing age, this change repeats itself unless they become pregnant, so it is called the menstrual cycle. It can also be understood that menstruation is a manifestation of failure of fertilization after ovulation once a month.

The egg formation cycle

Women release an egg every month. The mother cell is wrapped in the primordial follicle. Under the influence of sex hormones, only one primordial follicle matures every month, and the mature egg is then discharged from the ovary into the abdominal cavity. An egg can survive for about 48 hours after being released, waiting to meet and combine with sperm during these 48 hours. If the egg cannot meet the sperm to form a fertilized egg due to various reasons after being released, it will die naturally after 48-72 hours.

If you miss the chance of fertilization this time, you will have to wait until another egg matures and is released one month later, and then repeat the same process.