Equivalent phases of the reproductive cycle in women and rats/mice
| Women | ||
| Follicular | Periovulatory | Luteal |
| Estradiol secretion from ovaries as follicle develops | Rapid increase in estradiol that triggers luteinizing hormone surge that induces ovulation | Release of relatively high concentrations of both estradiol and progesterone from the corpus luteum |
| Rats/Mice | ||
| Metestrus/Diestrus | Proestrus/Estrus | No equivalent phase |
| Estradiol secretion from ovaries as follicle develops | Rapid increase in estradiol that triggers luteinizing hormone surge that induces progesterone release and ovulation | |