Fig. 6

Stages of the Spiny Mouse Menstrual cycle. Menses in A. Cahirinus lasts approximately 3 days and is followed by the follicular phase where several follicles are matured under the influence of estradiol (E2). Following a surge of E2, the dominant follicle ruptures releasing the mature oocyte, and subsequently forms a progesterone (P4) secreting corpus luteum. Following ovulation, the luteal phase begins, which encompasses the implantation window whereby a healthy blastocysts implants into a receptive uterus to establish pregnancy