Question

During pregnancy corpus luteum
A. Degenerates
B. Changes to corpus Albicans
C. Persists until parturition
D. Persists up to the middle of pregnancy

Answer 1

Hint: During ovulation, an egg is released from a dominant follicle. After the release of the egg and subsequent fertilization, the follicle seals itself off and forms what is called a corpus luteum. The corpus luteum produces hormones that the body requires during the early phases of pregnancy. It is an important part of fertility that allows the pregnancy to take place.
Complete Step-by-step answer: A corpus luteum is a mass of cells that forms in an ovary. It is liable for the production of the hormone progesterone in the first trimester. The possibility of formation of the corpus luteum depends on whether fertilization takes place or not. Sometimes, cysts can form in the corpus luteum, which leads to painful symptoms. The Corpus luteum is a hormone-secreting mass of cells. The Corpus luteum forms immediately after ovulation and degenerates into corpus Albicans, in lack of fertilization. Corpus Albicans is a yellow-colored tissue, a fibrous body composed of an aggregate of dense connective tissue. After ovulation, the ovarian follicle constitutes the corpus luteum, which is a temporary structure.
The corpus luteum will continue to generate progesterone until the placenta is capable to produce sufficient levels to maintain pregnancy. The Corpus luteum secretes progesterone till weeks 7-9 of pregnancy. The pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) promotes and maintains the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum starts to reduce in size at around 10 weeks of pregnancy. If fertilization or implantation does not take place, the corpus luteum will start to decompose. This causes a decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels, which leads to the beginning of another menstrual period.
Therefore the correct answer is Option D.
Note: A corpus luteum defect, also called a luteal phase defect, takes place when the corpus luteum cannot produce sufficient progesterone to prepare the endometrium for implantation and pregnancy. Cysts can sometimes form if the corpus luteum fills with liquid.