Quick Review Cards for Medical Laboratory Science

Reproductive Hormones Clinical Chemistry Review 113

HORMONE REGULATES COMMENTS

Ovaries
Estrogens

Progesterone

Placenta
Estrogen (estriol)

Progesterone

HCG

Human placental
lactogen (HPL)

Testes
Testosterone

Development of female reproductive organs &

secondary sex characteristics. Regulation of

menstrual cycle. Maintenance of pregnancy

Preparation of uterus for ovum implantation,

maintenance of pregnancy

No hormonal activity

See above

Progesterone production by corpus luteum during

early pregnancy. Development of fetal gonads

Estrogen & progesterone production by corpus

luteum. Development of mammary glands

Development of male reproductive organs &

secondary sex characteristics

Estradiol (E 2 ) is major estrogen produced by ovaries;

most potent estrogen. Also produced in adrenal cortex.

Also produced by placenta. Metabolite is pregnanediol.

Useful in infertility studies & to assess placental function.

Used to monitor fetal growth & development.

Used to detect pregnancy, gestational trophoblastic dis-

ease (e.g., hydatidiform mole), testicular tumor, & other

HCG-producing tumors.

Used to assess placental function.

Also produced in adrenal cortex.