OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

Which hormone indirectly stimulates progesterone production?

1. FSH

2. Oestrogen

3. LH

4. Prolactin

The correct answer is: LH

The hormone that indirectly stimulates progesterone production is LH, or luteinizing hormone. LH plays a crucial role in the female menstrual cycle, particularly during the ovulation phase. When the levels of LH surge, it triggers the release of an egg from the ovary. Following ovulation, LH supports the transformation of the ruptured follicle into the corpus luteum, which is essential for progesterone secretion. Progesterone is vital for preparing the uterine lining for potential implantation of a fertilized egg, contributing to the maintenance of early pregnancy if fertilization occurs. In contrast, FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) primarily regulates the development of ovarian follicles and is not directly involved in stimulating progesterone. Oestrogen does play a role in the regulation of the menstrual cycle and is produced by the ovarian follicles, but it does not directly stimulate progesterone production by the corpus luteum. Prolactin is involved in milk production and lactation and does not influence the production of progesterone in the same way LH does. Thus, LH is the key hormone that indirectly prompts the production of progesterone after ovulation.