Question

Which part of the ovary in mammals acts as an endocrine gland after ovulation?

Answer 1

This structure is formed after ovulation took place and the mature egg is released by the ovulation process. This structure consists of a follicular layer within which the ovum grows and matures.

Complete answer:
Corpus luteum is the part of the ovary in mammals which acts as a temporary endocrine gland.
The Corpus luteum is a structure formed after ovulation from the remaining graafian follicle in the ovary.
The Corpus luteum secretes progesterone which stimulates the endometrium lining of the uterus to prepare for implantation which is essential for maintaining the pregnancy, due to this reason progesterone is also known as pregnancy maintaining hormone.
Progesterone hormone inhibits the secretion of pituitary hormone thus lowering the level of LH and FSH in the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle. Due to decrease in LH and FSH, Corpus luteum starts to regress in its size.
If fertilization doesn’t occur, corpus luteum starts to degenerate forming a small structure, corpus Albicans. This degeneration leads to a drop in the level of progesterone and estrogen hormone thus instigating the shedding of endometrium lining and beginning of the menstrual cycle.
If fertilization occurs corpus luteum persists and is maintained throughout the first trimester by HCG produced by trophoblast embedded in the placenta. Due to the increase of progesterone level mucus covering the cervix becomes thick and supports pregnancy.

Note:
Ovulation is a cyclical process in females. In ovulation, there is a release of a mature egg or ovum from one of the ovaries each month simultaneously. In humans ovulation is highly regulated by different types of hormones like estrogen, progesterone, LH, FSH, etc.