13.8 Hormonal Changes During Pregnancy Flashcards
1
Q
What is the physiological reasoning for endometrial shedding?
A
drop in estrogen and progesterone levels
2
Q
When does a drop in estrogen and progesterone levels occur?
A
when the corpus luteum degenerates
3
Q
What causes the corpus luteum to degenerate?
A
drop in LH levels
4
Q
What causes LH levels to suddenly drop?
A
feedback inhibition from high levels of estrogen and progesterone
5
Q
What is chorion?
A
portion of the placenta that is derived from the zygote and produces hCG
6
Q
What is hCG?
A
human chorionic gonadotropin
7
Q
What is the main function of hCG?
A
takes the place of LH to maintain the corpus luteum once pregnancy has ocurred; maintains high levels of estrogen and progesterone and blocks menstruation from occuring
