Final answer:
Positive feedback between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovaries leads to LH surge and ovulation, while negative feedback controls hormone levels through inhibition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The positive and negative feedback loops involving the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovaries are crucial for the regulation of the female reproductive system. Negative feedback occurs when the hormones (estrogen and progesterone) produced by the ovaries reach a certain level in the bloodstream and inhibit the production of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland, as well as the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus, thus reducing the production of estrogen and progesterone.
Conversely, during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, rising levels of estrogen from the developing follicles initiate a positive feedback mechanism leading to a surge in LH production, which triggers ovulation. This surge occurs when estrogen levels are high enough to stimulate further LH release, rather than inhibit it.