In: Anatomy and Physiology
Why would maintaining high levels of progesterone prevent ovulation.
The answer is YES, maintaining high levels of progesterone in a womens system would prevent ovulation.
This is the reason for the use of progesterone in the oral contraceptives.
The mechanism of it would be by the inhibition of the follicular development, ovulation and as a consequence, corpus leutum formation would also be inhibited. Further more, high levels of progesterone causes the alteration of the cervical mucus (thickens it and makes it difficult for sperms to enter) that inhibits sperm penetration aswell. It also shows effets on uterine tube and endometrium decreases the likelihood of fertilization and implantation.
The main mechanism involved in stoping ovulatin would be by the negative feedback mechanism of the progesterone. It supresses the secretion of the gonadotropins (FSH and LH) from the pitutary gland by decreasing the pulse frequency of the gonadotropin releasing hormone. (it means that GnRH secretion into the blood is decreased which causes decrease in FSH and LH levels in the ovary so, ovulation is prevented. mainly decrease in LH levels causes this effect.)