TABLE 2.

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