Of the 6-7 million oocytes available, how many are released during ovulation?
A. 100 to 200
B. 2000 to 3000
C. 400 to 500
D. 3000 to 4000
Explanation
Of the 6–7 million oocytes present in the female fetus during 20 weeks of gestation, only about 400–500 oocytes are actually released during ovulation throughout a woman’s reproductive life.
Explanation
- At birth → about 1–2 million oocytes remain.
- At puberty → about 300,000–400,000 are left.
- Only one oocyte matures and is released each menstrual cycle.
- Over about 35–40 reproductive years, approximately 400–500 eggs are ovulated.
- All the others undergo natural degeneration (atresia).
Final Answer
👉 About 400–500 oocytes are released during ovulation in a woman’s lifetime.
Other Options Details
Here is the description of all the options given, related to how many oocytes (eggs) are released during ovulation in a woman’s reproductive life:
A. 100 to 200
This option suggests that only 100 to 200 eggs are released during the entire reproductive period of a woman.
A typical woman ovulates around one egg per month, so over approximately 35–40 years of reproductive life, the total number is close to this range. This is close to the correct range.
B. 2000 to 3000
This option suggests that 2000–3000 eggs are ovulated during life.
This number is too high, because ovulation happens once per month, not daily or weekly. Most oocytes are lost naturally by degeneration (atresia), not ovulation.
C. 400 to 500
This option suggests 400 to 500 eggs are released during a woman’s lifetime.
This is the most accurate and scientifically accepted figure.
Women ovulate one egg every month for about 35–40 years → approximately 400–500 ovulations total.
D. 3000 to 4000
This option suggests 3000–4000 eggs ovulated in a lifetime.
This is incorrect, because ovulation occurs only once per menstrual cycle (~28–30 days), not enough to reach this large number.
Final correct answer
✔ 400–500 oocytes are actually released during a woman’s reproductive life.
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Writer: Vandita Singh, Lucknow (GS India Nursing Group