What Is the Role of Progesterone in Pregnancy?

Progesterone is a steroid hormone secreted by the ovaries, also known as progesterone.

Progesterone

Progesterone is a steroid hormone secreted by the ovaries, also known as progesterone.

On October 27, 2017, the list of carcinogens published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization initially compiled the reference, and progestin was in the list of 2B carcinogens. ^[1]

Progesterone is

(1) Secretion of the endometrium proliferated by the action of estrogen, the cervical mucus becomes thick, and the sperm cannot pass easily. In addition, it can also suppress the mother's immune response and prevent the mother from excreting the fetus to cause abortion.

(2) Inhibition

Progesterone

(1) Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): A glycoprotein hormone secreted by basophils in the anterior pituitary gland, whose main function is to promote the development and maturation of the ovarian follicles. The concentration of FSH in the blood is 1.5-10mIU / ml in the pre-ovulation period, 8-20mIU / ml in the ovulation period, and 2-10mIU / ml in the post-ovulation period. Generally, 5 to 40 mIU / ml is taken as the normal value. Low FSH values are seen during estrogen and progestin treatment, Sheehan's syndrome, and so on. FSH is high in premature ovarian failure, ovarian insensitivity syndrome, and primary amenorrhea. FSH higher than 40mIU / ml is not effective for ovulation-promoting drugs such as clomiphene.

(2) Luteinizing hormone (LH): It is also a glycoprotein hormone secreted by basophils in the anterior pituitary gland, which mainly promotes ovulation. Under the synergistic effect of FSH, it forms lutein and secretes progesterone. The concentration of blood LH is 2-15mIU / ml in the pre-ovulation period, 30-100mIU / ml in the ovulation period, and 4-10mIU / ml in the post-ovulation period. The normal value during the non-ovulation period is usually 5 to 25 mIU / ml. Below 5mIU / ml indicates insufficient gonadotropin function, which is found in Sheehan's syndrome. If high FSH and LH are increased, ovarian failure is very certain, and no further examination is necessary. LH / FSH3 is one of the basis for the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome.

(3) Prolactin (PRL): secreted by lactotrophoblast cells, one of the eosinophils in the anterior pituitary gland, is a simple protein hormone whose main function is to promote breast hyperplasia, milk production and milk production. In non-lactating period, the normal value of blood PRL is <1.14mmol / L, early pregnancy is <3.64mmol / L, middle pregnancy is <7.28mmol / L, and late pregnancy is <18.20mmol / L. Too much prolactin can inhibit FSH and LH secretion, inhibit ovarian function, and inhibit ovulation.

(4) Estradiol (E2): It is secreted by the follicles of the ovary, and its main function is to promote the endometrium to proliferate and promote the development of female secondary sexual characteristics. The concentration of E2 in the blood is 48 to 521 picomoles per liter in the early ovulation period, 70 to 1835 picomoles per liter in the ovulation period, and 272 to 793 picomoles per liter in the late period of ovulation. The low values are found in low ovarian function, premature ovarian failure, Han's syndrome.

(5) Progesterone (P): secreted by the corpus luteum of the ovary, the main function of which is to promote the endometrium to change from the proliferative phase to the secretory phase. The blood P concentration before ovulation is 0 to 4.8 nmol / L, the post ovulation period is 7.6 to 97.6 nmol / L, and the low blood P value during the post ovulation period is found in corpus luteum insufficiency and ovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

(6) Testosterone (T): 50% of testosterone in women is converted from peripheral androstenedione, and about 25% of the adrenal cortex is secreted from the ovary. The main function is to promote the development of the clitoris, labia, and clitoris. It has antagonistic effects on estrogen and has a certain effect on systemic metabolism. The normal concentration of T in female blood is 0.7-3.1nmol / L. High blood T value, called hypertestosterone, can cause infertility.