Placenta acts as an endocrine gland. Explain.

Explanation

The placenta acts as an endocrine tissue and produces several hormones like human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), human Placental Lactogen (HPL), oestrogen, progesterone, etc. In the later phase of pregnancy, a hormone called relaxin is also secreted by the placenta. Hormones such as hCG, HPL and relaxin are produced in women only during pregnancy. In addition, during pregnancy the levels of other hormones like oestrogens, progesterone, cortisol, prolactin, thyroxine, etc., are increased several fold in the maternal blood. Increased production of these hormones is essential for supporting foetal growth, metabolic changes in the mother and maintenance of pregnancy.