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Which two major hormones are produced by the ovaries?

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Detailed cross-sectional illustration of a human ovary showing the stages of follicle development, ovulation, and corpus luteum formation, with labeled structures including primordial, primary, secondary, and mature follicles, a ruptured follicle releasing an ovum, and corpus luteum and albicans. An inset at the bottom shows the ovary's location in the female reproductive system. — ovary The steps of ovulation, beginning with a dormant primordial follicle that grows and matures and is eventually released from the ovary into the fallopian tube.

The two major hormones produced by the ovaries are estrogen and progesterone.1

These hormones are essential for regulating the female reproductive system and the menstrual cycle. Estrogens, primarily estradiol, are secreted mainly by the ovarian follicles and are responsible for the development of female secondary sex characteristics and the maturation of the uterine lining. Progesterone is produced primarily by the corpus luteum following ovulation and plays a critical role in preparing the uterus for the implantation of a fertilized egg and maintaining pregnancy.213456