Maintenance of the corpus luteum during the first trimester of pregnancy is accomplished principally by the secretion of:
The corpus luteum secretes estrogens, progesterone, and relaxin. hCG, secreted by the syncytiotrophoblast lining the placental villi, maintains the corpus luteum during the first trimester of pregnancy. Antidiuretic hormone does not play a significant role during pregnancy. FSH acts on granulosa cells to promote the conversion of androstenedione to estradiol. LH acts on theca cells to promote androstenedione secretion.
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
Luteinizing hormone (LH)