What do the ovaries primarily produce in the female reproductive system?

In the female reproductive system, the primary function of the ovaries is to produce eggs, also known as ova. The ovaries are critical for reproduction, as they release eggs during the process of ovulation, allowing for the possibility of fertilization by sperm. Each ovary contains follicles, which are fluid-filled sacs that house the developing eggs.

While the ovaries do produce hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, these hormones facilitate various reproductive functions, including the regulation of the menstrual cycle, but they are not the primary output of the ovaries. Semen, which is a male reproductive fluid, is not produced by the ovaries, and while follicles are involved in the maturation of eggs, they themselves are not what the ovaries produce primarily. Thus, the assembly of these functions and outputs clearly identifies the eggs as the main product of the ovaries in the female reproductive system.