During which stage are oocytes released from the ovarian follicles?

The stage during which oocytes are released from the ovarian follicles is known as the ovulation phase. Ovulation is a key event in the menstrual cycle, occurring typically around the midpoint of the cycle. In this phase, a mature follicle bursts, releasing an egg (oocyte) into the fallopian tube, where it may be fertilized by sperm.

The ovulation phase follows the follicular phase, where follicles develop and mature under hormonal influence. After ovulation, the luteal phase begins, characterized by the formation of the corpus luteum from the remnants of the follicle, which produces hormones necessary to maintain the uterine lining in case of pregnancy. The maturation phase isn't a standard term used to describe a specific stage in the ovarian cycle. Thus, during the ovulation phase, the process reaches its culmination with the actual release of the oocyte, distinguishing this phase as critical in reproductive biology.