Which hormone is primarily secreted by the corpus luteum to support early pregnancy?

Which hormone is primarily secreted by the corpus luteum to support early pregnancy?

• A. Progesterone
• B. Estrogen
• C. FSH
• D. LH

Answer: (A)

Progesterone is the hormone primarily secreted by the corpus luteum to support early pregnancy. After ovulation, the corpus luteum releases progesterone (with some estrogen) to make the endometrium secretory and receptive to implantation, and to keep the uterine lining thick and vascularized. If pregnancy occurs, the embryo’s hCG signals the corpus luteum to continue producing progesterone, which keeps the uterus quiet and prevents shedding of the lining until the placenta takes over later. Without sufficient progesterone, the endometrium would regress and pregnancy could be lost. FSH and LH are pituitary hormones that regulate ovarian function and are not produced by the corpus luteum, and while the corpus luteum does produce some estrogen, progesterone is the key hormone that sustains early pregnancy.

Progesterone is the hormone primarily secreted by the corpus luteum to support early pregnancy. After ovulation, the corpus luteum releases progesterone (with some estrogen) to make the endometrium secretory and receptive to implantation, and to keep the uterine lining thick and vascularized. If pregnancy occurs, the embryo’s hCG signals the corpus luteum to continue producing progesterone, which keeps the uterus quiet and prevents shedding of the lining until the placenta takes over later. Without sufficient progesterone, the endometrium would regress and pregnancy could be lost. FSH and LH are pituitary hormones that regulate ovarian function and are not produced by the corpus luteum, and while the corpus luteum does produce some estrogen, progesterone is the key hormone that sustains early pregnancy.