Final answer:
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is the hormone produced early in pregnancy that maintains the corpus luteum, thus ensuring the continued secretion of progesterone necessary to maintain the pregnancy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hormone produced early in pregnancy that maintains the corpus luteum is human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone is secreted by the outer layer of the blastocyst shortly after the zygote forms from fertilization. The presence of hCG is crucial as it sustains the corpus luteum, which in turn continues to produce progesterone to maintain the uterine lining and the new pregnancy until the placenta has developed sufficiently to take over its function.
The hormone produced early in pregnancy that maintains the corpus luteum is human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
hCG is produced by the outer layer of the blastocyst, and it preserves the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum, in turn, secretes progesterone which maintains the new pregnancy.
Proper levels of progesterone are essential for the success of pregnancy, as it prevents new ovarian follicles from developing and suppresses uterine contractility.