In the Nonpregnant State

Question

In the nonpregnant state,
A) the corpus albicans becomes hormonally active, secreting estrogen and progesterone.
B) the endometrium secretes hCG.
C) hormonal secretion of the corpus luteum gradually declines.
D) the zygote becomes hormonally active.

Accepted Answer

In the nonpregnant state, the hormonal secretion of the corpus luteum gradually declines due to a decrease in the levels of LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) from the pituitary gland. The corpus albicans, which is the scar tissue formed from the degeneration of the corpus luteum, does not secrete estrogen and progesterone. The endometrium does not secrete hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which is a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. The zygote, which is the fertilized egg, does not become hormonally active until it implants in the uterus and begins to produce hCG.