Histological evidence of alternating ovulation in women

Detailed histological analysis of ovaries obtained from 25 women by ovariectomy for medical reasons demonstrated that the degeneration of the cyclic corpus luteum is a long process, taking several cycles. The ages of the various regressing corpora lutea were identified to permit classification of the side of ovulation during the preceding 4 or 5 cycles. In the 25 women studied, with regular menstrual cycles of 28 +/- 3 days (48 cycles), ovulation occurred most often (87.6%) in an alternating manner.