Female ovaries fact
1. The ovary is a reproductive organ in females. 2. Human females are typically born with two ovaries stemming from the uterus. Before puberty, ovaries are just long bundles of tissue. As the female matures, so do her ovaries. 3. The ovaries lie on either side of the uterus against the pelvic wall in a region called the ovarian fossa. They are held in place by ligaments attached to the uterus. 4. The ovaries have three functions. First, they shelter and protect the eggs a female is born with until they are ready for use. It is thought that women are born with their lifetime supply of eggs, but a study by the University of Edinburgh's School of Biological Sciences found that chemotherapy might spark the development of new eggs. Second, ovaries produce female reproductive hormones called estrogen and progesterone, and some lesser hormones called relaxin and inhibin. There are three different types of estrogen: estrone, estradiol and estriol. They are used by the body to help develop adult female characteristics, such as breasts and larger hips, and to aid in the reproduction cycle. Progesterone is also key to reproduction (more on that later). Relaxin loosens the pelvic ligaments so they can stretch during labor. Inhibin prevents the pituitary gland from producing hormones. Third, ovaries release one egg, or sometimes more, each menstrual cycle. This process is called ovulation. Inside each ovary, there are follicles and inside of each follicle is a dormant egg. When a female is born, she has around 150,000 to 500,000 follicles in her ovaries. By the time she is sexually mature, the female will have around 34,000 follicles, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica. 5. Ovaries can only be found in females.
