Which phase is part of the ovarian cycle?

• A. Follicular
• B. Proliferative
• C. Secretory
• D. Ischemic

Answer: (A)

The ovarian cycle has two main phases: follicular and luteal. The follicular phase starts with the beginning of menstruation and continues until ovulation. During this phase, FSH stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles, which produce estrogen. As estrogen rises, the cycle moves toward ovulation, after which the luteal phase begins with the formation of the corpus luteum that secretes progesterone to prepare the uterus for possible implantation.

Among the options, the follicular phase is the one that belongs to the ovarian cycle. The other terms describe phases of the uterine (endometrial) cycle: proliferative and secretory reflect estrogen- and progesterone-driven changes in the endometrium, not ovarian activity; ischemic is not a normal, named phase of the ovarian cycle.