Question

In a pregnant woman having prolonged labor pains, if the childbirth has to be hastened, it is advisable to administer a hormone that can
A. Activate the smooth muscles
B. Increase the metabolic rate
C. Release glucose into the blood
D. Stimulates the ovary

Answer 1

Hint: During childbirth, prostaglandins initiate the contraction in uterine smooth muscles of the uterine wall which also causes labor pains. The pressure exerted by the head of the fetus against the cervix then sends signals to the hypothalamus to release oxytocin which is stored in the posterior pituitary. This process is called fetal ejection reflex.

Complete answer:
> Oxytocin and prostaglandins together stimulate the uterine muscles to contract and initiate the peristaltic uterine movements forcing the fetus downwards and expelling it out of the uterus to hasten the parturition, it is often advised to administer the oxytocin hormone as it stimulates the uterine smooth muscle contraction.
> Thyroxine is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. It targets all tissues of the body and stimulates total metabolic rate, growth, and development.
> Glucagon hormone is produced by the pancreas. It stimulates the liver to break down glycogen into glucose and triggers the use of fat and protein as an energy source thus increasing the blood glucose level. It leads to less availability of glucose to the cells and thus maintains an energy-deficient state.
> Gonadotropic hormones (Follicular Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone) both act on the ovary and stimulate egg production and release of estrogen and progesterone.
These are required in the maintenance of secondary sexual characters of females.

So Option (A) is the correct option.

Note:
Oxytocin and vasopressin are the two hormones produced in the anterior pituitary but stored and secreted from the posterior pituitary. While oxytocin acts on smooth muscles and aids in parturition, vasopressin is also called an antidiuretic hormone (ADH), It conserves the water and fluid volume of the body by reducing the amount of water lost in the form of urine.