Reproduction: placental hormones and glucose: 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 · Reproduction: placental hormones and glucose

Sample item

A woman in the third trimester has a rising insulin requirement and develops gestational diabetes. Which placental hormone chiefly produces this insulin resistance?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Human placental lactogen

Human placental lactogen rises steadily through pregnancy in proportion to placental mass. It reduces maternal glucose use and promotes lipolysis, so glucose and free fatty acids are spared for the fetus. Together with placental progesterone and cortisol, it creates a diabetogenic state that unmasks gestational diabetes.

Option by option

  • A. Human chorionic gonadotrophin

    hCG peaks in the first trimester and maintains the corpus luteum.

  • B. Relaxin

    Relaxin softens the pelvic ligaments and cervix and has no major diabetogenic action.

  • C. Oestriol

    Oestriol reflects fetoplacental steroid production and is not the principal cause of insulin resistance.

  • D. Human placental lactogen (correct)

    The anti-insulin action of placental lactogen sustains maternal glucose supply for the fetus.

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 placental lactogen. Human placental lactogen rises steadily through pregnancy in proportion to placental mass.

Why is "Human chorionic gonadotrophin" not the answer?

hCG peaks in the first trimester and maintains the corpus luteum.

Why is "Relaxin" not the answer?

Relaxin softens the pelvic ligaments and cervix and has no major diabetogenic action.

Why is "Oestriol" not the answer?

Oestriol reflects fetoplacental steroid production and is not the principal cause of insulin resistance.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Reproduction: placental hormones and glucose in Physiology. It reduces maternal glucose use and promotes lipolysis, so glucose and free fatty acids are spared for the fetus. Together with placental progesterone and cortisol, it creates a diabetogenic state that unmasks gestational diabetes.

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 Reproduction: placental hormones and glucose?

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.