progesterone (prōjĕs`tərōn'), female sex hormone hormone, secretory substance carried from one gland or organ of the body via the bloodstream to more or less specific tissues, where it exerts some influence upon the metabolism of the target tissue.
..... Click the link for more information. that induces secretory changes in the lining of the uterus uterus, in most female mammals, hollow muscular organ in which the fetus develops and from which it is delivered at the end of pregnancy . The human uterus is pear-shaped and about 3 in. (7.
..... Click the link for more information. essential for successful implantation of a fertilized egg. A steroid steroids, class of lipids having a particular molecular ring structure called the cyclopentanoperhydro-phenanthrene ring system. Steroids differ from one another in the structure of various side chains and additional rings.
..... Click the link for more information. , progesterone is secreted chiefly by the corpus luteum, a group of cells formed in the ovary ovary, ductless gland of the female in which the ova (female reproductive cells) are produced. In vertebrate animals the ovary also secretes the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone , which control the development of the sexual organs and the secondary sexual
..... Click the link for more information. after the follicle ruptures during the release of the egg cell. If fertilization does not take place, the secretion of progesterone decreases and menstruation occurs. If fertilization does occur, progesterone is secreted during pregnancy by the placenta and acts to prevent spontaneous abortion; the hormone also prepares the mammary glands for milk production. Progesterone is also synthesized from cholesterol cholesterol (kəlĕs`tərōl')
..... Click the link for more information. in the cortex of the adrenal gland adrenal gland (ədrēn`əl) or suprarenal gland
..... Click the link for more information. where it is a precursor for the synthesis of other steroids including testosterone testosterone (tĕstŏs`tərōn), principal androgen, or male sex hormone .
..... Click the link for more information. . Synthetic compounds with progesteronelike activity have been developed that, along with estrogen estrogen (ĕs`trəjən)
..... Click the link for more information. , are used in oral contraceptives.

progesterone

Steroid hormone secreted by the female reproductive system that functions mainly to regulate the condition of the endometrium (see uterus), preparing it to accept a fertilized egg. If the egg is not fertilized, the level of progesterone drops, the uterine lining breaks down, and menstruation ensues. If the egg is fertilized (see pregnancy), the placenta produces progesterone, whose effects include preparing the mammary glands for lactation. Many forms of oral contraception use a synthetic progesterone.

progesterone (redirected from progesterone assay)

progesterone

progesterone
(redirected from progesterone assay)