Identify the placental hormone

Options

A. Insulin
B. Vasopressin
C. Somatotropic hormone
D. Human chorionic hormone (h CG)

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Placenta:**
- The placenta is an organ that connects the developing fetus to the uterine wall, allowing for nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and gas exchange via the mother's blood supply.
- It serves as a temporary endocrine gland during pregnancy.

2. **Identifying Hormones Secreted by the Placenta:**
- The placenta secretes several hormones, but the primary one during early pregnancy is human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).
- HCG is crucial for maintaining the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone in the early stages of pregnancy.

3. **Recognizing the Role of HCG:**
- HCG is commonly used in pregnancy tests, such as the Gravidex test or urine pregnancy test (UPT), to detect pregnancy.

4. **Other Hormones:**
- In addition to HCG, the placenta also secretes human placental lactogen (HPL), which plays a role in metabolism and preparing the mammary glands for lactation.

5. **Evaluating Other Options:**
- The question may provide other hormone options, such as insulin, vasopressin, and somatotropic hormone.
- Insulin is produced by the pancreas, vasopressin (ADH) is secreted by the posterior pituitary, and somatotropic hormone (growth hormone) is secreted by the anterior pituitary. None of these are placental hormones.

6. **Conclusion:**
- The correct answer to the question "Identify the placental hormone" is human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).

**Final Answer:**
- The placental hormone is **human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)**.

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