Question

The hormone/s which play/s an important role in maintaining pregnancy is/are?
A. Testosterone
B. Progesterone and testosterone
C. Oestrogen
D. Testosterone and oestrogen

Answer 1

Hint: Hormones are known as chemical messengers. It is secreted directly into the blood, which carries them to organs and tissues of the body to exert their functions. There are many hormones that are secreted by the gonads (endocrine gland) in both male’s and female’s bodies.

Complete answer:
-Testosterone: Testosterone is the primary sex hormone and an anabolic steroid in males.
In males, testosterone plays a key role in the development of male reproductive tissues such as the testis and the prostate. It also promotes secondary sexual characteristics such as increased muscle and bone mass, and the growth of body hair.
-Progesterone: Progesterone is an endogenous steroid and progestogen sex hormone. It is involved in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and embryogenesis of humans and other species.
It belongs to a group of steroid hormones called the progestogens and is the major progestogen in the body. After ovulation occurs, the ovaries start to produce progesterone needed by the uterus. Progesterone causes the uterine lining or endometrium to thicken which helps in pregnancy.
-Oestrogen: Estrogen is also known as oestrogen. It is the primary female sex hormone. It is responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics. There are three major endogenous estrogens in females that have estrogenic hormonal activity. They are- estrone, estradiol, and estriol. It plays an important role in pregnancy. Oestrogen is produced in early pregnancy to support the baby until the placenta takes over. Oestrogen helps the development of the baby's organs. A woman will produce more estrogen during one pregnancy than throughout her entire life when not pregnant. The increase in estrogen during pregnancy enables the uterus and placenta to improve vascularization.
Thus, the hormones that play an important role during pregnancy are progesterone and oestrogen.
So, the answer is C-Oestrogen.

Note: Although testosterone is a male hormone it is also present in minute amounts in females. Increased testosterone in females leads to acne, enlarged clitoris, increased muscle mass, infertility, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.