What secretes hormones

Hormones are an important component of the human body, and there are many types of hormones. Each hormone corresponds to a different secretory organ. For example, progesterone is a biologically active hormone secreted by the ovaries. It plays an important role in the pregnancy process. Without the secretion of progesterone, women cannot conceive normally. Therefore, progesterone is very important. Everyone can learn about the secretion and function of progesterone.

1. What is progesterone secreted?

Progesterone, also known as progestin, is the main biologically active hormone secreted by the ovaries. It plays a very important role, especially during pregnancy. It can be said that if there is a problem with progesterone, pregnancy will be difficult. Even if pregnancy occurs, miscarriage or premature birth may occur, causing women to lose their fertility.

Under normal circumstances, before ovulation, the human body produces about 2-3 mg of progesterone per day, mainly from the adrenal glands. After ovulation, the amount of progesterone produced increases to 20-30 mg per day, most of which is secreted by the corpus luteum in the ovary.

2. Physiological functions of progesterone

Progesterone is secreted by the luteal cells of the ovaries, mainly progesterone. It is inactivated into estradiol in the liver and then combined with glucuronic acid and excreted from the body through urine. Progestogens often work on the basis of estrogen, and their main physiological functions are:

(1) Inhibit ovulation, promote endometrial secretion to facilitate the implantation of the fertilized egg, and reduce the excitability of the uterine muscles to ensure the safety of pregnancy.

(2) Promote the growth of mammary alveoli to prepare for lactation.

(3) Raise body temperature and relax blood vessels and digestive tract smooth muscles.

(4) Since progesterone is an important intermediate in the biosynthesis of androgens, estrogens, and adrenal cortical hormones, it has the effects of the above hormones to varying degrees. Certain artificially synthesized estrogens and progestins and their analogues are mainly used clinically for infertility, threatened abortion and habitual abortion, endometriosis, functional uterine bleeding, amenorrhea, menopausal syndrome, osteoporosis, etc. They can also be used to increase white blood cells in endometrial cancer, prostate cancer and during cancer chemotherapy.

3. The main effect of progesterone

(1) The endometrium, which has proliferated due to the action of estrogen, secretes secretions, and the cervical mucus becomes viscous, making it difficult for sperm to pass through. In addition, it can also suppress the mother's immune response and prevent the mother from expelling the fetus and causing miscarriage.

(2) Inhibit the peristalsis of the fallopian tube.

(3) The keratinization of vaginal epithelial cells gradually disappears, and the shed cells shrink into piles.

(4) It promotes the development of mammary alveoli, but it works only after estrogen stimulates the proliferation of mammary ducts.

(5) It has a pyrogenic effect, which may be through the central nervous system to increase body temperature by about 0.5°C (raising the body temperature set point) and maintain a high temperature during the luteal phase, causing the body temperature to change in a biphasic manner. Ovulation can be detected by measuring the basal body temperature (BBT).

(6) Promote the excretion of sodium and water in the body.

(7) Inhibit the secretion of pituitary gonadotropin through the hypothalamus.