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Questions and Answers
What is the function of hCG in maintaining pregnancy?
What is the function of hCG in maintaining pregnancy?
Which hormone shares a similar α-subunit structure with hCG?
Which hormone shares a similar α-subunit structure with hCG?
At what point does hCG first appear in maternal blood after fertilization?
At what point does hCG first appear in maternal blood after fertilization?
What is the specific function of the β-subunit of hCG?
What is the specific function of the β-subunit of hCG?
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In which of the following conditions can high levels of hCG occur?
In which of the following conditions can high levels of hCG occur?
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What is the primary effect of human placental lactogen during pregnancy?
What is the primary effect of human placental lactogen during pregnancy?
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During which weeks of pregnancy is progesterone exclusively produced by the placenta?
During which weeks of pregnancy is progesterone exclusively produced by the placenta?
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Which hormone is the predominant moiety during the nonpregnant reproductive years?
Which hormone is the predominant moiety during the nonpregnant reproductive years?
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What is the function of estradiol during a woman's nonpregnant reproductive years?
What is the function of estradiol during a woman's nonpregnant reproductive years?
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In which condition can threatened abortion occur due to low levels of a specific hormone?
In which condition can threatened abortion occur due to low levels of a specific hormone?
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How do high levels of human placental lactogen contribute to pregnancy?
How do high levels of human placental lactogen contribute to pregnancy?
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At what point does progesterone start to be produced by both the corpus luteum and the placenta?
At what point does progesterone start to be produced by both the corpus luteum and the placenta?
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What hormone decreases insulin utilization during pregnancy?
What hormone decreases insulin utilization during pregnancy?
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During which stage of pregnancy does progesterone induce endometrial secretory changes favorable for blastocyst implantation?
During which stage of pregnancy does progesterone induce endometrial secretory changes favorable for blastocyst implantation?
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What is the primary function of estradiol during a woman's nonpregnant reproductive years?
What is the primary function of estradiol during a woman's nonpregnant reproductive years?
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Human placental lactogen is chemically similar to anterior pituitary growth hormone and ______.
Human placental lactogen is chemically similar to anterior pituitary growth hormone and ______.
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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 ______.
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 ______.
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If levels are low, threatened abortion or ______ can occur.
If levels are low, threatened abortion or ______ can occur.
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Progesterone is a steroid hormone produced after ovulation by the luteal cells of the corpus luteum to induce endometrial secretory changes favorable for ______ implantation.
Progesterone is a steroid hormone produced after ovulation by the luteal cells of the corpus luteum to induce endometrial secretory changes favorable for ______ implantation.
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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 ______.
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 ______.
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After 9 weeks the corpus luteum declines, and progesterone is exclusively produced by the ______.
After 9 weeks the corpus luteum declines, and progesterone is exclusively produced by the ______.
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In early pregnancy it induces endometrial secretory changes favorable for ______ implantation.
In early pregnancy it induces endometrial secretory changes favorable for ______ implantation.
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In later pregnancy its function is to induce immune tolerance for the pregnancy and prevent ______ contractions.
In later pregnancy its function is to induce immune tolerance for the pregnancy and prevent ______ contractions.
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Estrogens are steroid hormones that occur in 3 forms. Each form has unique significance during a woman’s ______ life.
Estrogens are steroid hormones that occur in 3 forms. Each form has unique significance during a woman’s ______ life.
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Estradiol is the predominant moiety during the nonpregnant ______ years.
Estradiol is the predominant moiety during the nonpregnant ______ years.
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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.
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Description
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.
