Menstrual

Cycle Graphing Lab

Problem:

How do the levels of reproductive hormones influence the human menstrual cycle?

Introduction:

The menstrual cycle is contolled by hormones from endocrine system. There are three main phases of the
menstrual cycle: follicular, ovulatory, and luteal phases. Before begin the activity, read about these phases
and the hormones involved at the following website: https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/women-s-
health-issues/biology-of-the-female-reproductive-system/menstrual-cycle

Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/MenstrualCycle2.png

Source: https://www.cabrillo.edu/~rmcfarland/Bio13A/Bio13A_LabWeb/bio13lab_14rep.doc
Data:

The relative hormone levels vary greatly during the menstrual cycle. The table below shows the relative levels
of the four major hormones by day.

Luteinizing Follicle Stimulating
Day Estrogen Progesterone
Hormone (LH) Hormone (FSH)
1 6 10 10 2
2 7 11 10 2
3 8 12 10 2
4 8 13 10 2
5 8 14 10 2
6 8 13 13 2
7 8 12 16 2
8 8 12 19 2
9 8 12 22 2
10 10 13 28 2
11 12 14 35 2
12 22 16 28 3
13 32 20 22 4
14 20 15 19 5
15 6 10 16 8
16 6 9 15 10
17 6 8 15 12
18 6 8 15 15
19 6 8 15 18
20 6 7 15 24
21 6 6 15 28
22 6 6 15 28
23 6 6 15 28
24 5 6 13 24
25 4 6 10 18
26 3 8 10 12
27 3 10 10 7
28 3 10 10 2

Day of the Menstrual Cycle Average Thickness of the Uterus Lining (mm)
1 0.5
5 1.5
10 2.25
15 3.0
20 4.0
25 5.0
27 4.75
1 0.5

Source: https://www.cabrillo.edu/~rmcfarland/Bio13A/Bio13A_LabWeb/bio13lab_14rep.doc
Analysis:
• Graph 1: Create a line graph which plots the relative amounts of both estrogen and progesterone on
one graph.
• Graph 2: Create a line graph which plots the relative amounts of both FSH and LH on one graph.

** Make certain you key each graph, label the axes, and title your graphs.

Discussion Questions:
Answer the questions which follow using your knowledge of the menstrual cycle and your information on the
graph you will construct. You will also need the information in the chart of endometrial thickness below.

1. Estrogen levels are highest on day number?

2. LH levels are highest on day number?


3. How does the increase in the estrogen level correspond the change in thickness of the uterine lining in
days 1 through 10 of the menstrual cycle?



4. Compare the change in thickness of the uterine lining with change in progestrone amount for days 10-
27.



5. Why is it logical for the level of FSH to fall greatly following ovulation?




6. What happens to the uterine lining between day 27 and day 1? What is this process called?



7. Describe the main events during the three phases of the menstrual cycle:
a. follicular phase:



b. ovulatory phase:



c. luteal phase:

Source: https://www.cabrillo.edu/~rmcfarland/Bio13A/Bio13A_LabWeb/bio13lab_14rep.doc