Question

Hormones secreted by the placenta to maintain pregnancy are

• A. hCG, hPL, progestogens, prolactin
• B. hCG, hPL, progestogens, estrogen
• C. hCG, hPL, estrogens, relaxin, oxytocin
• D. hCG, progestogens, estrogens, glucocorticoids

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

To determine the correct answer for which hormones are secreted by the placenta to maintain pregnancy, we need to consider the key hormones involved in this process.

1. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG):
   • hCG is produced by the placenta and is crucial in maintaining the corpus luteum during early pregnancy. It ensures the continued production of progesterone, which is vital for maintaining the uterine lining.
2. Human Placental Lactogen (hPL):
   • Also known as Human Chorionic Somatomammotropin (hCS), hPL plays a role in the regulation of maternal metabolism and helps in breast development to prepare for lactation.
3. Progestogens:
   • The primary progestogen is progesterone, which is critical for maintaining the uterine lining and preventing contractions during pregnancy.
4. Estrogens:
   • Estrogens are also produced by the placenta and play several roles, including promoting uterine growth and enhancing blood flow within the uterus.

The correct answer is hCG, hPL, progestogens, estrogen. These hormones work in tandem to support the pregnancy and ensure the healthy development of the fetus.

Let's briefly examine why the other options are incorrect:

• Option 1: hCG, hPL, progestogens, prolactin - Prolactin is produced mainly by the pituitary gland, not the placenta, making this option incorrect.
• Option 3: hCG, hPL, estrogens, relaxin, oxytocin - Relaxin and oxytocin play roles in childbirth rather than pregnancy maintenance and are not primarily secreted by the placenta for this purpose.
• Option 4: hCG, progestogens, estrogens, glucocorticoids - Glucocorticoids are primarily involved in stress response and metabolism and are not a main hormone secreted by the placenta for maintaining pregnancy.

Thus, understanding these roles of the hormones is critical to identifying the correct combination secreted by the placenta during pregnancy.