What is a consequence of progesterone-induced gallbladder distention during pregnancy?

What is a consequence of progesterone-induced gallbladder distention during pregnancy?

• A. Increased risk of gallstones due to cholesterol retention
• B. Decreased bile production
• C. Gallbladder shrinks
• D. Increased gallbladder emptying

Answer: (A)

Progesterone during pregnancy relaxes smooth muscle, including the gallbladder, which slows its contractions and reduces emptying. When the gallbladder doesn’t empty effectively, bile sits longer and can become supersaturated with cholesterol. This stagnant bile provides conditions for cholesterol stones to form, increasing the risk of gallstones. The other options don’t fit because production of bile isn’t reduced by progesterone, the gallbladder doesn’t shrink, and emptying isn’t increased—distention results from slowed emptying, not from production changes or enlargement from faster emptying.

Progesterone during pregnancy relaxes smooth muscle, including the gallbladder, which slows its contractions and reduces emptying. When the gallbladder doesn’t empty effectively, bile sits longer and can become supersaturated with cholesterol. This stagnant bile provides conditions for cholesterol stones to form, increasing the risk of gallstones. The other options don’t fit because production of bile isn’t reduced by progesterone, the gallbladder doesn’t shrink, and emptying isn’t increased—distention results from slowed emptying, not from production changes or enlargement from faster emptying.