25 Questions
What is the function of hCG in maintaining pregnancy?
Maintaining corpus luteum production of progesterone
Which hormone shares a similar α-subunit structure with hCG?
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
At what point does hCG first appear in maternal blood after fertilization?
10 days
What is the specific function of the β-subunit of hCG?
Specific for pregnancy
In which of the following conditions can high levels of hCG occur?
Twin pregnancy
What is the primary effect of human placental lactogen during pregnancy?
Antagonizing the cellular action of insulin
During which weeks of pregnancy is progesterone exclusively produced by the placenta?
7-9 weeks
Which hormone is the predominant moiety during the nonpregnant reproductive years?
Estradiol
What is the function of estradiol during a woman's nonpregnant reproductive years?
Maintaining reproductive function
In which condition can threatened abortion occur due to low levels of a specific hormone?
Low progesterone levels
How do high levels of human placental lactogen contribute to pregnancy?
Preventing myometrial contractions
At what point does progesterone start to be produced by both the corpus luteum and the placenta?
7-9 weeks into pregnancy
What hormone decreases insulin utilization during pregnancy?
Human placental lactogen
During which stage of pregnancy does progesterone induce endometrial secretory changes favorable for blastocyst implantation?
<5 weeks gestation
What is the primary function of estradiol during a woman's nonpregnant reproductive years?
Maintaining reproductive function
Human placental lactogen is chemically similar to anterior pituitary growth hormone and ______.
prolactin
Its effect is to antagonize the cellular action of insulin, decreasing insulin utilization and thereby contributing to the predisposition of pregnancy to glucose intolerance and ______.
diabetes
If levels are low, threatened abortion or ______ can occur.
intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)
Progesterone is a steroid hormone produced after ovulation by the luteal cells of the corpus luteum to induce endometrial secretory changes favorable for ______ implantation.
blastocyst
It is initially produced exclusively by the corpus luteum for up to 6–7 menstrual weeks. Between 7–9 weeks, both the corpus luteum and the placenta produce ______.
progesterone
After 9 weeks the corpus luteum declines, and progesterone is exclusively produced by the ______.
placenta
In early pregnancy it induces endometrial secretory changes favorable for ______ implantation.
blastocyst
In later pregnancy its function is to induce immune tolerance for the pregnancy and prevent ______ contractions.
myometrial
Estrogens are steroid hormones that occur in 3 forms. Each form has unique significance during a woman’s ______ life.
reproductive
Estradiol is the predominant moiety during the nonpregnant ______ years.
reproductive
Study Notes
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
- hCG maintains pregnancy by stimulating the corpus luteum to continue producing progesterone, which supports embryonic development.
- hCG shares a similar α-subunit structure with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH).
- hCG first appears in maternal blood around 6-10 days after fertilization.
- The β-subunit of hCG is specific to this hormone and is responsible for its unique function.
Conditions with High hCG Levels
- High levels of hCG can occur in molar pregnancies, choriocarcinoma, and multiple pregnancies.
Human Placental Lactogen (HPL)
- HPL, also known as human chorionic somatomammotropin, induces maternal metabolic changes that support fetal growth and development.
- HPL is chemically similar to anterior pituitary growth hormone and prolactin.
- High levels of HPL contribute to pregnancy by antagonizing insulin, leading to decreased insulin utilization and increased glucose levels.
Progesterone
- Progesterone is exclusively produced by the placenta between 10-12 weeks and 34-36 weeks of pregnancy.
- Progesterone induces endometrial secretory changes favorable for blastocyst implantation during the luteal phase.
- Between 7-9 weeks, both the corpus luteum and the placenta produce progesterone.
- After 9 weeks, the corpus luteum declines, and progesterone is exclusively produced by the placenta.
Estrogens
- Estrogens occur in three forms: estrone, estradiol, and estriol.
- Estradiol is the predominant moiety during the nonpregnant reproductive years.
- Estrogens have unique significance during a woman's reproductive life.
Pregnancy Complications
- Low levels of progesterone can lead to threatened abortion or miscarriage.
- High levels of HPL can contribute to the predisposition of pregnancy to glucose intolerance and gestational diabetes.
Learn about the production, secretion, and functions of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) during pregnancy. Understand the role of hCG in maintaining the corpus luteum and supporting fetal development.
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