What is the role of leutinizing hormone (LH) in reproduction?

Leutinizing hormone (LH) plays a crucial role in the reproductive system, particularly in the process of ovulation. It is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and is essential for the regulation of the menstrual cycle and ovulation in females. The primary function of LH is to trigger the release of an egg from a mature ovarian follicle, a process known as ovulation. When LH levels surge, it facilitates the final maturation of the ovarian follicle and leads to the release of the egg, making it available for fertilization.

While some of the other options touch on aspects of reproductive physiology, they do not specifically pertain to the direct action of LH. For instance, the stimulation of ovarian follicles is primarily attributed to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), not LH. Regulation of menstruation involves complex hormonal interactions, including both estrogen and progesterone, but again, this is not the direct role of LH. Preventing pregnancy is not a function of LH; rather, it is related to the absence of ovulation or the influence of other hormones and contraceptive methods. Therefore, stating that LH causes the release of eggs from the ovary accurately captures the definitive role it plays in reproduction.