What is the corpus luteum and what functions does it perform

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What is the corpus luteum and what functions does it perform
What is the corpus luteum and what functions does it perform
Anonim

With the onset of pregnancy, a variety of biochemical processes begin to occur in the female body, which are necessary both for the preservation and development of the fetus. Today we offer to learn about the mechanism that plays one of the main roles in this process - about the corpus luteum.

corpus luteum
corpus luteum

The corpus luteum - what is it?

This substance is a temporary endocrine gland located in one of a woman's ovaries. The corpus luteum is transformed from the follicle that released the egg, and its main task is to produce hormones (primarily progesterone) that are responsible for the development of pregnancy. Iron got its name from the color of the liquid it contains. This formation is formed whenever a woman ovulates, and if conception does not occur, by the end of the cycle it fades and dies. In the event of pregnancy, the corpus luteum is responsible for its development during the first trimester. After that, the placenta completely takes over the function of producing progesterone. Sometimes ovulation occurs simultaneously in two ovaries, resulting in the formation of two corpus luteum. If both cells are fertilized, twins will be born. By the way, in this case, the corpus luteum can be one, since twins can be either identical or fraternal.

corpus luteum in ovary during pregnancy
corpus luteum in ovary during pregnancy

Copus luteum in the ovary during pregnancy

The presence of a corpus luteum in the ovary can be considered as an additional sign indicating the onset of pregnancy. But only in combination with other symptoms. The thing is that a corpus luteum cyst diagnosed by ultrasound can appear in the ovary and regardless of the onset of pregnancy in a woman.

Lack of corpus luteum

One of the serious complications threatening abortion is hypofunction or insufficiency of the corpus luteum. Signs of this condition are bleeding of varying intensity, the appearance of spotting, tone and detachment of the fetal egg, which can be detected by ultrasound. In case of corpus luteum insufficiency, a pregnant woman is prescribed corrective drug therapy based on taking drugs containing progesterone. If it was carried out on time and in the absence of other factors that threaten the development of the fetus, the pregnancy will develop normally.

what is corpus luteum
what is corpus luteum

Pathologies

Unfortunately, not all pregnancies go smoothly. Often there are various pathologies. For example, during an ectopic pregnancy, the corpus luteum produces a low level of hormones, so that doctors can timely diagnose this dangerous condition for a woman. It is enough to do an analysis for hCG twice, which will allow you to track the dynamics of its growth. In the event of pregnancy fading, the corpus luteum completely stops the production of hormones, which can be detected by repeated blood tests. To confirm the diagnosis, an ultrasound is performed, during which it is possible to determine whether the embryo continues to develop.

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