What hormone is produced by the corpus luteum to support early pregnancy?

The hormone produced by the corpus luteum that is crucial for supporting early pregnancy is progesterone. After ovulation, the corpus luteum forms from the ruptured follicle and mainly secretes progesterone. This hormone plays a vital role in preparing the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) for a potential implantation of a fertilized egg. Progesterone stabilizes the uterine lining and reduces uterine contractions, creating a suitable environment for the embryo to implant and grow.

In the early stages of pregnancy, if fertilization occurs, the presence of progesterone continues to be critical to maintain the pregnancy until the placenta takes over hormone production. If progesterone levels are insufficient, it can lead to a miscarriage.

Other hormones mentioned, such as estrogen, are also important during pregnancy, but their primary role is not as directly related to initial implantation and uterine maintenance as that of progesterone. Oxytocin is primarily involved in labor and lactation, while luteinizing hormone is involved in the regulation of the menstrual cycle and ovulation but does not play a direct role in sustaining early pregnancy. Therefore, the prominence of progesterone produced by the corpus luteum marks it as essential for early gestation support.