In: Anatomy and Physiology
What is the role of HCG during pregnancy?
What does progesterone do during pregnancy?
Explain how estrogen levels change during pregnancy.
hCG or human chorionic gonadotropin hormone is secreted from the placenta. Placenta is the organ which joints a foetus to its mother's body in the uterus. hCG acts as luteinizing hormone and helps in keeping the Corpus luteum of the ovary functioning. So that the Corpus luteum will synthesize progesterone hormone continuously which inturns helps in keeping pregnancy healthy.
The endometrium layer of uterus conceive the fertilized embryo in it. Also through the placenta the foetus gets all nutrients and essential substances from the body of mother (specifically from uterus). Hence it is necessary for having a healthy uterus or having a thick layer of uterine wall or endometrium during the pregnancy. The progesterone is the chief hormone responsible for a thick endometrium and by making the endometrium thick, it helps in pregnancy.
During pregnancy, estrogen is secreted by the placenta and the estrogen hormone also helps in making the uterine wall thick. It also increases the blood flow in the uterus and helps in supplying sufficient nutrients to the foetus. Also estrogen helps in secretion of many key hormones which are responsible for the maturation of foetus.