Final answer:
The LH surge triggers the resumption of meiosis in the dictyate oocyte by stimulating changes in the follicle that lead to uneven cell division, creation of a secondary oocyte and a polar body, release of the oocyte, and corpus luteum formation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The LH surge plays a crucial role in transitioning a primary oocyte, which is arrested in the dictyate stage of meiosis I, to a secondary oocyte ready for ovulation.
The LH surge occurs just prior to ovulation and triggers the resumption of meiosis in the mature follicle's primary oocyte.
The maturation promoting factor (MPF), which is a protein kinase found in the cytoplasm of mid-meiotic oocytes, may also be involved in stimulating meiotic progression.
This hormone surge leads to several events: induction of meiotic resumption, the formation of an uneven cell division creating one large secondary oocyte and a smaller first polar body, the breakdown of ovarian wall structural proteins by proteases, and eventual release of the oocyte during ovulation.
Additionally, the LH surge is responsible for luteinization of granulosa and theca cells, forming the corpus luteum which secretes progesterone to support potential pregnancy.