Question

Name and describe hormones secreted by ovaries.

Answer 1

1. Estrogen: It is secreted by developing follicles. Estradiol is the main oestrogen. It is responsible for secondary sexual characters in female.
2. Progesterone: It is secreted by the corpus luteum of the ovary after ovulation. This hormone is essential for thickening of uterine endometrium, thus preparing the uterus for implantation of fertilized ovum. It is responsible for the development of mammary glands during pregnancy. It inhibits uterine contractions during pregnancy.
3. Relaxin: It is secreted by the corpus luteum of the ovary at the end of the gestation period. It relaxes the cervix of the pregnant female and ligaments of the pelvic girdle for easy birth of a young one.
4. Inhibin: It is secreted by the corpus luteum. Inhibin inhibits the FSH and GnRH production.