→ During pregnancy placenta acts as an endocrine tissue and produces several hormones like human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), human placental lactogen (hPL), estrogens, progestogens, etc.
→ In the later phase of pregnancy, a hormone called relaxin is also secreted by the ovary.
→ hCG, hPL and relaxin are produced in women only during pregnancy.
→ During pregnancy the levels of other hormones like estrogens, progestogens, cortisol, prolactin, thyroxine, etc., are increased several-folds in the maternal blood.
→ Increased production of these hormones is essential for supporting the fetal growth, metabolic changes in the mother and maintenance of pregnancy.