corpus luteum

Examples of corpus luteum in the following topics:

• Ovarian Cycle

  • It begins with the formation of the corpus luteum and ends in either pregnancy or luteolysis.
  • After ovulation, the pituitary hormones FSH and LH cause the remaining parts of the dominant follicle to transform into the corpus luteum.
  • The hormones produced by the corpus luteum suppress production of the FSH and LH, causing the corpus luteum will atrophy.
  • The death of the corpus luteum results in falling levels of progesterone and estrogen.
  • The loss of the corpus luteum can be prevented by implantation of an embryo.

• Hormonal Regulation of the Female Reproductive Cycle

  • The luteal phase begins with the formation of the corpus luteum stimulated by FSH and LH and ends in either pregnancy or luteolysis.
  • The hormones produced by the corpus luteum suppress production of the FSH and LH, which leads to its atrophy.
  • The death of the corpus luteum results in falling levels of progesterone and estrogen, which triggers the end of the luteal phase.
  • Alternatively, the loss of the corpus luteum can be prevented by implantation of an embryo: after implantation, human embryos produce human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
  • Human chorionic gonadotropin is structurally similar to LH and can preserve the corpus luteum.

• Female Hormones

  • The cells in the follicle undergo physical changes, producing a structure called a corpus luteum, which produces estrogen and progesterone.
  • The level of estrogen produced by the corpus luteum increases to a steady level for the next few days.
  • If no fertilized egg is implanted into the uterus, the corpus luteum degenerates and the levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease.

• Oogenesis

  • The empty follicle then forms a corpus luteum which later releases progesterone to maintain a potential pregnancy.

• Implantation

  • The syncytiotrophoblast also produces human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone that notifies the mother's body that she is pregnant and prevents menstruation by sustaining the function of the progesterone-producing corpus luteum within the ovary.

• Human Gestation

  • Another layer of the blastocyst, the chorion, begins releasing a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) which makes its way to the corpus luteum, keeping it active.
  • The placenta has taken over the functions of nutrition and waste, along with the production of estrogen and progesterone from the corpus luteum, which has degenerated.

• Pineal Gland and Gonads

  • Progesterone is a female hormone secreted by the corpus luteum after ovulation during the second half of the menstrual cycle.

• Ovaries

  • The follicle remains functional and transforms into a corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone to prepare the uterus for possible embryo implantation.

• Uterine (Menstrual) Cycle

  • If implantation does not occur within approximately two weeks, the progesterone-producing corpus luteum in the ovary will recede, causing sharp drops in levels of both progesterone and estrogen.

• Female Reproductive Anatomy

  • The follicle becomes a corpus luteum, which eventually degenerates.