Lack of which hormone can cause failure of ovarian follicles to mature to ovulation?

• A. Cortisol
• B. Testosterone
• C. Androgen
• D. Progesterone

Answer: (D)

The correct answer is due to the role of progesterone in the menstrual cycle and ovulation process. Progesterone is primarily produced by the corpus luteum following ovulation and is critical for preparing the uterine lining for potential implantation of a fertilized egg. However, its significance in follicular maturation should not be overlooked.

During the menstrual cycle, appropriate levels of progesterone help regulate the hormonal interplay that culminates in ovulation. A deficiency in progesterone can lead to disrupted signaling within the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, hindering the maturation of ovarian follicles. Without sufficient progesterone, the necessary stimulation for the final maturation stages of the ovarian follicles and subsequent ovulation may not occur.

Cortisol, testosterone, and androgen play different roles but are not directly linked to the maturation of ovarian follicles. Cortisol, a stress hormone, influences various metabolic processes but does not have a direct connection to follicular development. Testosterone and androgen are more related to the development of male secondary sexual characteristics and can influence some aspects of women's health, but they do not play as crucial a role in the ovarian cycle as progesterone does. Thus, lack of progesterone is particularly impactful in signaling pathways essential for ovulation and the