Which of the following hormones maintains the corpus luteum during early pregnancy?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: hCG. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is produced by the developing embryo and maintains the corpus luteum during early pregnancy. It stimulates the production of progesterone by the corpus luteum, which is essential for maintaining the uterine lining to support the developing embryo. Progesterone helps prevent menstruation and supports the pregnancy. Estrogen (choice B) plays a role in the menstrual cycle but does not specifically maintain the corpus luteum. LH (choice D) is responsible for ovulation but does not maintain the corpus luteum. Therefore, hCG is the correct choice as it directly supports the function of the corpus luteum during early pregnancy.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Stimulate follicle growth. FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) in females plays a key role in stimulating the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles. This hormone helps in the development of follicles containing the eggs within the ovaries. The other choices are incorrect because A: Stimulate ovulation is primarily regulated by LH (Luteinizing Hormone), B: Maintain pregnancy is mainly controlled by progesterone and hCG (human Chorionic Gonadotropin), D: Trigger luteinization is also regulated by LH. Therefore, the main role of FSH in females is to stimulate follicle growth.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Progesterone is the correct answer because it is responsible for preparing the uterus for pregnancy by creating a favorable environment for implantation and maintaining the uterine lining. Progesterone also helps prevent contractions of the uterus that could lead to the shedding of the uterine lining. Estrogen, FSH, and LH do not directly prepare the uterus for pregnancy but play roles in follicle development and ovulation.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Luteal phase. Following ovulation, the ruptured follicle transforms into the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone to prepare the uterine lining for potential implantation. This phase typically lasts around 14 days. The other choices are incorrect because: A: Menstrual phase occurs at the beginning of the cycle with shedding of the uterine lining. C: Proliferative phase occurs before ovulation, characterized by the thickening of the uterine lining. D: Follicular phase occurs before ovulation, characterized by the development of ovarian follicles.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Transport eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. The fallopian tubes serve as the pathway for the egg released by the ovary to travel towards the uterus for potential fertilization. This transportation process is essential for successful conception. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the fallopian tubes do not produce eggs, support implantation, or secrete estrogen. Eggs are produced in the ovaries, implantation occurs in the uterus, and estrogen is primarily produced by the ovaries and other endocrine glands.