Comments on the Corpus Luteum and Some Related Aspects Dr.
Nelson Soucasaux, Brazilian gynecologist Let's talk a little
about the corpus luteum, the ovarian structure responsible for
the production of progesterone during the second phase of the
menstrual cycle (and also the first two or three months of
pregnancy). After ovulation (which is triggered by the pituitary
ovulatory peak of LH [luteinizing hormone]) and the subsequent
luteinization of the granulosa cells of the ruptured ovarian
follicle, there is a change in the enzymatic system of these
cells and, instead of producing mostly estrogens (as they did),
they begin producing mainly high levels of progesterone and only
some estrogens. On the other hand, the theca cells begin
producing mostly estrogens. Therefore, the corpus luteum
produces not only progesterone but also estrogens. During the
ovarian cycle, the corpus luteum exhibits a considerably steady
life period of about 12 to 14 days. In this way, comparing the
two phases of the ovulatory cycles (th