Which of the following hormones are active during the ovulatory phase of menstrual cycle in a normal human female ?

The menstrual cycle in human females is regulated by a complex interplay of hormones from the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovaries. The ovulatory phase, which occurs around the middle of the cycle (typically day 14 in a 28-day cycle), is a crucial event marked by the release of a mature ovum from the Graafian follicle.

To understand which hormones are active during this phase, let us look at the roles and levels of the primary reproductive hormones:
1. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH): FSH is secreted by the anterior pituitary. During the follicular phase, it stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles. Just prior to ovulation, FSH levels surge to help facilitate the final maturation of the follicle and its subsequent rupture. Thus, FSH is highly active.
2. Luteinizing Hormone (LH): Also secreted by the anterior pituitary, LH plays the most critical role in triggering ovulation. A rapid rise in LH levels, known as the "LH surge," induces the rupture of the mature Graafian follicle and the release of the secondary oocyte. LH levels reach their peak during the ovulatory phase.
3. Estrogen: As the ovarian follicles develop during the preceding follicular phase, they secrete increasing amounts of estrogen. Estrogen levels reach a peak just before ovulation, which exerts a positive feedback effect on the pituitary to trigger the LH surge. Therefore, estrogen is highly active during the ovulatory phase.

In contrast, Progesterone is secreted mainly by the corpus luteum, which only forms after ovulation has occurred (during the luteal phase). Progesterone levels remain low during the ovulatory phase and only rise significantly after ovulation is complete.

Therefore, the hormones that are active and peaking in their levels during the ovulatory phase are FSH, LH, and Estrogen. Consequently, combinations like "FSH and LH", "LH and Estrogen", and "FSH and Estrogen" all correctly identify active hormones during this phase.