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Attendence
--Felicia Ton 23:16, 4 August 2010 (UTC)
Individual Assessment - Lab Questions
1. What factor do the syncytiotrophoblast cells secrete to support the ongoing pregnancy?
Shortly after implantation of the blastocyst within the endometrium, the syncytiotrophoblast cells secrete the hormone human Chorionic Gonadotopin (hCG) which stimulates the corpus luteum. hCG supports the ongoing pregnancy by stimulating the corpus luteum to produce increased levels of the essential progesterone and estrogen hormones, thereby preventing menstruation and proliferation of the endometrium. hCG is continually secreted throughout the pregnancy however only at low levels for the final half of the pregnancy.
2. What does the corpus luteum secrete to prevent continuation of the menstrual cycle?
The corpus luteum secretes both progesterone and estrogen, however it is primarily the elevated levels of progesterone that maintain stimulation of the endometrial cells.