biostudies-literatureThomas CDeutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftDeutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation)1997-2008https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11567896biostudies-literatureUnknown26(11)During ovulation, an egg is released from an ovarian follicle, ready for fertilization. Ovulation occurs inside the body, impeding direct studies of its progression. Therefore, the exact mechanisms that control ovulation have remained unclear. Here we devised live imaging methods to study the entire process of ovulation in isolated mouse ovarian follicles. We show that ovulation proceeds through three distinct phases, follicle expansion (I), contraction (II) and rupture (III), culminating in the release of the egg. Follicle expansion is driven by hyaluronic acid secretion and an osmotic gradient-directed fluid influx into the follicle. Then, smooth muscle cells in the outer follicle drive follicle contraction. Follicle rupture begins with stigma formation, followed by the exit of folliculaNature cell biologyEx vivo imaging reveals the spatiotemporal control of ovulation.PMC11567896SCHU 3047/1-1EXC 2067/1-390729940Thomas CPenir SMMarx TLSchuh MfalseEx vivo imaging reveals the spatiotemporal control of ovulation.During ovulation, an egg is released from an ovarian follicle, ready for fertilization. Ovulation occurs inside the body, impeding direct studies of its progression. Therefore, the exact mechanisms that control ovulation have remained unclear. Here we devised live imaging methods to study the entire process of ovulation in isolated mouse ovarian follicles. We show that ovulation proceeds through three distinct phases, follicle expansion (I), contraction (II) and rupture (III), culminating in the release of the egg. Follicle expansion is driven by hyaluronic acid secretion and an osmotic gradient-directed fluid influx into the follicle. Then, smooth muscle cells in the outer follicle drive follicle contraction. Follicle rupture begins with stigma formation, followed by the exit of follicula2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Nov2026-07-16T22:37:54.7Z2025-04-06T01:40:12.582ZS-EPMC115678963941504110.1038/s41556-024-01524-6