What hormonal change typically occurs during ovulation?

During ovulation, there is a significant surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), which is crucial for the ovulatory process. This surge is triggered by rising estrogen levels from the developing follicles, which stimulates the pituitary gland to release a large amount of LH. This LH surge leads to the final maturation of the egg and the release of the egg from the ovary, marking the ovulation phase of the menstrual cycle.

In contrast, while estrogen levels do indeed increase prior to ovulation, the focus here is on the role that the surge in LH plays in triggering the ovulatory event itself. Progesterone levels are relatively low just before ovulation and only begin to rise after ovulation has occurred, as the corpus luteum forms. Furthermore, levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) typically decline post-ovulation due to feedback from high estrogen and inhibin levels, rather than remaining consistent. Thus, the surge in LH is the defining hormonal change that characterizes the ovulation process.