Which hormone is produced by the placenta and is important for fetal growth and maternal metabolism, acting as an insulin antagonist?

Which hormone is produced by the placenta and is important for fetal growth and maternal metabolism, acting as an insulin antagonist?

• A. Human placental lactogen (hPL)
• B. Estrogen
• C. Progesterone
• D. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Answer: (A)

The hormone in question is human placental lactogen. It is produced by the placental syncytiotrophoblast and rises as pregnancy progresses. Its important roles include promoting fetal growth and altering maternal metabolism by acting as an insulin antagonist—this reduces maternal glucose uptake and increases lipolysis, making more glucose and fatty acids available to the fetus. It also supports lactation development later in pregnancy. Estrogen and progesterone contribute to maintaining the pregnancy and preparing for birth and lactation in different ways, while human chorionic gonadotropin supports early pregnancy by maintaining the corpus luteum, not by causing insulin resistance.

The hormone in question is human placental lactogen. It is produced by the placental syncytiotrophoblast and rises as pregnancy progresses. Its important roles include promoting fetal growth and altering maternal metabolism by acting as an insulin antagonist—this reduces maternal glucose uptake and increases lipolysis, making more glucose and fatty acids available to the fetus. It also supports lactation development later in pregnancy. Estrogen and progesterone contribute to maintaining the pregnancy and preparing for birth and lactation in different ways, while human chorionic gonadotropin supports early pregnancy by maintaining the corpus luteum, not by causing insulin resistance.