Progesterone is generally present in contraceptive pills. Its function is to :

Options

A. Check ovulation
B. Prevent fertilization
C. Prevent implantation
D. Prevent cleavage

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Role of Progesterone in Contraceptive Pills:**
- Progesterone is a hormone that is commonly included in contraceptive pills. It can be used alone or in combination with estrogen.

2. **Function of Oral Contraceptive Pills:**
- The primary function of oral contraceptive pills is to prevent pregnancy. They achieve this by regulating the hormonal cycle of the female body.

3. **Mechanism of Action:**
- One of the main actions of progesterone in these pills is to inhibit ovulation. This means that the release of an egg from the ovaries is prevented.

4. **Consequences of Preventing Ovulation:**
- If ovulation does not occur, there will be no egg available for fertilization by sperm. Therefore, the chances of pregnancy are significantly reduced.

5. **Analyzing the Options:**
- a. Check ovulation: This is correct as progesterone helps to prevent ovulation.
- b. Prevent fertilization: This is not directly the role of progesterone; rather, it is the role of barrier methods.
- c. Prevent implantation: This is the role of intrauterine devices (IUDs) and not directly related to progesterone in pills.
- d. Prevent cleavage: This refers to the division of a fertilized egg, which is not the primary function of progesterone in contraceptive pills.

6. **Conclusion:**
- Based on the analysis, the correct answer is that the function of progesterone in contraceptive pills is to **check ovulation**.

**Final Answer: a. check ovulation**

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