Question

Which of the following secretes the hormone, relaxin, during the later phase of pregnancy ?

• A. Graafian follicle
• B. Corpus luteum
• C. Foetus
• D. Uterus

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The question asks which structure secretes the hormone relaxin during the later phase of pregnancy. To answer this, we need to understand the role of relaxin and which body structures are involved in its production during pregnancy.

1. Relaxin Hormone Function: Relaxin is a hormone that plays a critical role in pregnancy. It is primarily involved in preparing the mother's body for childbirth. It helps in relaxing the ligaments in the pelvis and softening and widening the cervix.
2. Potential Sources of Relaxin:
   • Graafian follicle - This is a fluid-filled structure in the ovary where an ovum develops before ovulation. It primarily secretes estrogen before ovulation, not relaxin.
   • Corpus luteum - After ovulation, the Graafian follicle transforms into the corpus luteum, which is crucial for producing progesterone and also secretes relaxin during pregnancy.
   • Foetus - Although the foetus develops many structures during pregnancy, it does not secrete relaxin.
   • Uterus - While the uterus undergoes changes during pregnancy, it does not produce relaxin.
3. Conclusion: The corpus luteum is responsible for secreting the hormone relaxin during the later stages of pregnancy. It helps in maintaining the uterine lining and facilitating maternal adaptations for childbirth.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question is: Corpus luteum.