The hormone that plays a crucial role in the development and release of a secondary oocyte is luteinizing hormone (LH). It is released by the pituitary gland and triggers ovulation, the process by which the mature ovarian follicle releases the secondary oocyte.
False. The zona pellucida is formed as the primary oocyte within the primordial follicle begins to grow and develop into a secondary follicle.
secondary follicle
Follicle development occurs in several stages: primordial follicle, primary follicle, secondary follicle, preantral follicle, antral follicle, and mature (Graafian) follicle. Each stage involves specific changes in the follicle and oocyte as they mature towards ovulation.
Ovulation
primary follicle/oocyte
follicle cells
graafian follicle
Once the oocyte has been released from the follicle, it is swept up into the fallopian tube by the fimbriae. The oocyte then begins its journey towards the uterus, where it may be fertilized by sperm if present. If fertilization occurs, the resulting embryo implants in the uterus and pregnancy begins.
A primary oocyte divides into a secondary oocyte and a polar body during meiosis I. The secondary oocyte undergoes meiosis II to produce a mature ovum (egg) and another polar body.
in the Vesicular (Graafian) follicle
Yes, it is the secondary oocyte that the sperm fertilizes. The secondary oocyte completes meiosis II to become a mature egg only after fertilization.