progesterone

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progesterone

progesterone , female sex hormone that induces secretory changes in the lining of the uterus essential for successful implantation of a fertilized egg. A steroid , progesterone is secreted chiefly by the corpus luteum, a group of cells formed in the ovary after the follicle ruptures during the release of the egg cell. If fertilization does not take place, the secretion of progesterone decreases and menstruation occurs. If fertilization does occur, progesterone is secreted during pregnancy by the placenta and acts to prevent spontaneous abortion; the hormone also prepares the mammary glands for milk production. Progesterone is also synthesized from cholesterol in the cortex of the adrenal gland where it is a precursor for the synthesis of other steroids including testosterone . Synthetic compounds with progesteronelike activity have been developed that, along with estrogen , are used in oral contraceptives.

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progesterone

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | | Â© A Dictionary of Zoology 1999, originally published by Oxford University Press 1999. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

progesterone A steroid hormone that is secreted mainly by the corpus luteum. It is responsible for the maintenance of pregnancy.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "progesterone." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 29 Nov. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "progesterone." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (November 29, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-progesterone.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "progesterone." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved November 29, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-progesterone.html

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	Vaginal Progesterone is Equally Effective in Achieving Pregnancy Outcomes as Injectable Progesterone in Donor Egg Cycles.(Medical condition overview) Business Wire; 4/14/2008
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	"CRINONE[R] 8% (progesterone vaginal gel) As Effective as Hormone Injections During IVF" Is Medscape's "Top News" from The ASRM 65th Annual Meeting.(Conference news) Business Wire; 11/9/2009

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