Which structure is responsible for the initial production of progesterone during early pregnancy?

The corpus luteum is the correct structure responsible for the initial production of progesterone during early pregnancy. After ovulation, the remnants of the ovarian follicle transform into the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone. This hormone plays a crucial role in maintaining the uterine lining and preparing it for possible implantation of a fertilized egg.

During the early stages of pregnancy, before the placenta becomes fully functional, the corpus luteum is vital for sustaining the pregnancy by ensuring that the endometrial lining remains thick and vascular. Once the placenta is fully developed, it takes over the production of progesterone to support the pregnancy.

While the ovaries are the overarching structures that house the follicles and the corpus luteum, they do not directly produce progesterone after ovulation; rather, the corpus luteum is the specific gland responsible during this early phase. The pituitary gland regulates ovarian function through the release of hormones like luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), but it does not produce progesterone itself. Thus, focusing on the role of the corpus luteum clarifies its importance in early pregnancy hormone production.