Question
Biology Question on Menstrual Cycle
Progesterone is secreted by
A
Fallopian tube
B
Corpus luteum
C
Ovary
D
Oviduct
Answer
Corpus luteum
Explanation
Solution
Progesterone is the principle female sex hormone secreted by corpus luteum. This hormone is also secreted by adrenal cortex and placenta in small amounts.
After ovulation, when egg is released the graafian follicles degenerates leading to the formation of corpus luteum. The corpus luteum secretes progesterone which is responsible for maintaining pregnancy in women. This hormone performs important functions like:
- It helps in maintaining the walls of the uterus, thereby helping in attaching embryo to the uterine wall.
- It also helps in development of placenta and growth of alveoli in mammary glands.
When the egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum starts degenerating and reduces the secretion of progesterone. The low levels of this hormone causes linings of the uterus to break down leading to menstruation.