Final answer:
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is crucial for maintaining the pregnancy by supporting the corpus luteum and promoting progesterone production. It is assisted by other hormones such as hMG and FSH in fertility treatments. Hormones secreted during pregnancy play significant roles in preparing the mother's body for fetal development and eventual labor.
Step-by-step explanation:
During pregnancy, the body undergoes various hormonal changes that facilitate the growth and development of the fetus. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is one such hormone that is crucial in the early stages of pregnancy. It is secreted by the outer layer of the blastocyst and functions to preserve the corpus luteum, which is essential for the maintenance of progesterone production, crucial in sustaining the pregnancy.In fertility treatments, additional hormones such as Human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) or follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) are administered to stimulate ovarian activity. hCG is also injected to mimic the natural induction of ovulation and to support natural progesterone production after egg retrieval.The increase in the production of hormones such as thyrotropin, prolactin, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the anterior pituitary during pregnancy affects maternal physiology. For instance, increased thyroid hormone production can cause changes in appetite and metabolic rate. These hormones, along with estrogens and progesterone, play a vital role in preparing various structures like the mammary glands for lactation and in mobilizing nutrients for fetal development.As pregnancy progresses, the body prepares for labor by adjusting hormone levels; especially, progesterone begins to decrease in late gestation, which allows for the intensification of uterine contractions, leading to childbirth.