What hormone is primarily secreted by the corpus luteum?

The hormone primarily secreted by the corpus luteum is progesterone. After ovulation, the remnants of the follicle transform into the corpus luteum, which plays a crucial role in the menstrual cycle and early stages of pregnancy. Progesterone is vital for preparing the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) for a potential embryo to implant, helping to maintain the uterine environment suitable for pregnancy. It also aids in inhibiting further ovulation during the luteal phase of the cycle.

In contrast, while estrogen is produced by the ovaries and contributes to various reproductive functions, it is not the predominant hormone secreted by the corpus luteum. Testosterone is primarily produced in the testes and adrenal glands, and it plays different roles in male and female physiology. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is associated with stimulating ovarian follicle growth and is produced by the pituitary gland, not by the corpus luteum.