During early pregnancy progesterone is secreted by

Options

A. Corpus luteum
B. FSH
C. Thyroid
D. None of the above

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Role of Progesterone:**
- Progesterone is a crucial hormone during early pregnancy. It helps maintain the uterine lining and supports the early stages of pregnancy.

2. **Identifying the Source of Progesterone:**
- During early pregnancy, progesterone is primarily secreted by the corpus luteum.

3. **Formation of Corpus Luteum:**
- The corpus luteum is formed in the ovary after ovulation. It develops from the follicle that released the egg.

4. **Function of Corpus Luteum:**
- If pregnancy occurs, the corpus luteum persists and continues to secrete progesterone. This is essential for maintaining the uterine lining and supporting the embryo.

5. **Consequences of Absence of Pregnancy:**
- If there is no pregnancy, the corpus luteum degenerates, leading to a decrease in progesterone levels, which eventually results in menstruation.

6. **Elimination of Other Options:**
- FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland and is involved in stimulating the growth of ovarian follicles, not in the secretion of progesterone.
- Thyroid hormones (like thyroxine) are secreted by the thyroid gland and are unrelated to progesterone secretion.
- Therefore, the correct answer is that progesterone is secreted by the corpus luteum.

**Final Answer:**
- During early pregnancy, progesterone is secreted by the **corpus luteum**.

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