Question

Pregnant uterine wall is sensitive to which one of the following hormones?
(A) ADH
(B) Oxytocin
(C) Epinephrine
(D) Progesterone

Answer 1

Hint: This hormone significantly influences the endometrium linings and in their irregular secretion causes thickening of the endometrium. This hormone is secreted by corpus luteum. The birth control pill is the synthetic form of this hormone.

Complete answer:
The uterine wall is mainly divided into three layers based on their position. These are endometrium, myometrium and serosa. Endometrium is the inner linings in the uterine wall, myometrium is the thick muscular layer present in the middle of the corpus and serosa is the smooth layer present in the posterior of the uterine wall. The corpus luteum secretes progesterone which is responsible for the thickening of endometrium. The level of progesterone decreases in later stages of pregnancy.

Oxytocin is a type of hormone that is secreted from the posterior part of the pituitary gland. This hormone enhances the rate and strength of the contractions of the uterine wall.

ADH- It is also known as antidiuretic hormone. It is secreted by the hypothalamus of the brain. It facilitates reabsorption in kidneys.

Epinephrine- It is a neurotransmitter which also acts as important hormones. Similar to regular hormones, these neurotransmitters also influence various body parts and stimulate the central nervous system.

Thus, the correct answer is option ‘D’.

Note: Progesterone is an important hormone which plays an important role in menstruation and helps in maintaining early stages of pregnancy. If the egg does not fertilise then the endometrium lining is shed as implantation does not take place. This happens because the corpus luteum is shed and the level of progesterone decreases.