Female reproductive physiology: pregnancy: practice question

A Physiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Physiology · Female reproductive physiology: pregnancy

Sample item

In the first trimester of pregnancy, which hormone maintains the corpus luteum so that progesterone production continues?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Human chorionic gonadotrophin from the syncytiotrophoblast

hCG shares the alpha subunit with LH and acts on the LH receptor, rescuing the corpus luteum until the placenta takes over progesterone synthesis at about 8 to 10 weeks. Its levels peak at about 10 weeks.

Option by option

  • A. Human placental lactogen

    hPL is a metabolic hormone that raises insulin resistance and does not maintain the corpus luteum.

  • B. Oestriol from the fetal adrenal and placenta

    Oestriol reflects fetal well-being but does not support the corpus luteum.

  • C. Prolactin from the maternal pituitary

    Prolactin prepares for lactation and does not maintain the corpus luteum.

  • D. Human chorionic gonadotrophin from the syncytiotrophoblast (correct)

    Correct. hCG acts as an LH analogue in early pregnancy.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is D, Human chorionic gonadotrophin from the syncytiotrophoblast. hCG shares the alpha subunit with LH and acts on the LH receptor, rescuing the corpus luteum until the placenta takes over progesterone synthesis at about 8 to 10 weeks.

Why is "Human placental lactogen" not the answer?

hPL is a metabolic hormone that raises insulin resistance and does not maintain the corpus luteum.

Why is "Oestriol from the fetal adrenal and placenta" not the answer?

Oestriol reflects fetal well-being but does not support the corpus luteum.

Why is "Prolactin from the maternal pituitary" not the answer?

Prolactin prepares for lactation and does not maintain the corpus luteum.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Female reproductive physiology: pregnancy in Physiology. Its levels peak at about 10 weeks.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Female reproductive physiology: pregnancy?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.