Which hormone is not secreted by the placenta?

Which hormone is not secreted by the placenta?

• A. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
• B. Estrogen
• C. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
• D. Human placental lactogen (HPL)

Answer: (C)

The key idea is which organs produce which hormones during pregnancy. The placenta secretes several hormones that support pregnancy: human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), estrogens, and human placental lactogen (HPL). hCG helps maintain the corpus luteum early on so it can keep producing progesterone; estrogens from the placenta help expand the uterus and prepare for labor; HPL influences maternal metabolism to favor fetal nutrient delivery. Luteinizing hormone, on the other hand, is produced by the anterior pituitary and is essential for triggering ovulation and supporting ovarian steroid production in the nonpregnant cycle. The placenta does not secrete LH, so LH is not a placental hormone.

The key idea is which organs produce which hormones during pregnancy. The placenta secretes several hormones that support pregnancy: human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), estrogens, and human placental lactogen (HPL). hCG helps maintain the corpus luteum early on so it can keep producing progesterone; estrogens from the placenta help expand the uterus and prepare for labor; HPL influences maternal metabolism to favor fetal nutrient delivery. Luteinizing hormone, on the other hand, is produced by the anterior pituitary and is essential for triggering ovulation and supporting ovarian steroid production in the nonpregnant cycle. The placenta does not secrete LH, so LH is not a placental hormone.