Candid Camera: Ovulation

These images of ovulation, considered an historical medical event, are a milestone in imaging but they were not pre-arranged, merely the random outcome during a surgical procedure that could alter female reproduction education in rudimentary sex education classes.

Clearly captured during a partial hysterectomy by Dr Jacques Donnez, they provide a rare view of ovulation or a view that is considerably different from the two dimensional representations in high school sex education classes.

Although previous imaging has been attempted, the results would result in fuzzy images. According to New Scientist, the ovulation images were captured by accident. The popular view, that of ovulation as a rapid event that shoots forth an egg, is overturned:

“The release of an egg was considered a sudden, explosive event, but his pictures, to be published in Fertility and Sterility, show it taking place over a period of at least fifteen minutes.”

The ingenious biological process that precedes the ejection of the ovum is intricate. Enzymes break down tissue in the fluid filled sac on the surface of the ovary containing the egg (the follicle). This breakdown forms a red protrusion that gradually exposes the aperture from which the egg will emerge.

Enlarged: