Ovaries The ovaries not only produce and release eggs that are ready for fertilization. Their other vital role is to produce hormones that maintain the menstrual cycle and it gives a woman’s body its feminine shape. The ovaries are parts of the female reproductive system, which are designed to make and release mature ova or egg cells. When a sperm from a man fertilizes the ovum it marks the start of a new human …showed first 75 words of 306 total…

…showed last 75 words of 306 total…immature eggs, each in a round casing or follicle can be seen clustered near the ovary edge. Much more noticeable however are the follicles containing eggs in various stages of maturation. As these follicles enlarge, and after their eggs have been released, they produce the characteristic bumps on the ovary surface. The center of the ovary is filled with elastic fibrous tissue, which acts as a support for the follicle –containing outer layer. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**