Answer:A corpus luteum is a mass of cells that forms in an ovary and is responsible for the production of the hormone progesterone during early pregnancy.
The role of the corpus luteum depends on whether or not fertilization occurs i.e pregnancy or no pregnancy
The corpus luteum will continue to produce progesterone until the fetus is producing adequate levels to sustain the pregnancy, which usually occurs between 7 and 9 weeks of pregnancy. Progesterone is essential during early pregnancy because: it allows the uterus to grow without having contractions.This phase always lasts on average 14 days (range 12–16 days) and precedes menstruation. It needs to be at least 10 days long to support conception. Progesterone acts to slightly increase the woman's temperature. If there is no conception, then the corpus luteum disintegrates about 10 days after ovulation.
While,If the egg is not fertilized(no pregnancy), the corpus luteum stops secreting progesterone and decays (after approximately 10 days in humans). It then degenerates into a corpus albicans, which is a mass of fibrous scar tissue.