Question

during very early pregnancy, a hormone called human chorionic (kore-onik) gonadotropin (hcg) is produced by the developing embryo and then by the (1) part of the placenta. similar to lh (luteinizing hormone), hcg stimulates the ovaries to continue producing estrogen and (2) so that the lining of the uterus is not sloughed off in menses. (the home pregnancy tests sold over the counter test for the presence of hcg in the womans urine.) in the third month, the (3) assumes the job of producing estrogen and progesterone, and the ovaries become inactive for the rest of the pregnancy. the high estrogen and progesterone blood levels maintain the lining of the uterus (thus, the pregnancy) and prepare the breasts for producing milk. human placental lactogen (hpl) works cooperatively with (4) and progesterone in preparing the breasts for lactation. relaxin, another placental hormone, causes the mothers pelvic ligaments and the pubic symphysis to relax and become more flexible, which eases (5) passage.
1 fetal 2 progesterone 3 placenta 4 estrogen 5 birth
1 progesterone 2 placenta 3 estrogen 4 birth 5 fetal
1 placenta 2 estrogen 3 birth 4 fetal 5 progesterone
1 estrogen 2 birth 3 fetal 4 progesterone 5 placenta
1 birth 2 fetal 3 progesterone 4 placenta 5 estrogen

Explanation:

• For the first blank: The placenta is part of the structure related to the embryo in early pregnancy, so "fetal" (as in fetal part of the placenta) makes sense.
• For the second blank: Similar to LH, hCG stimulates the ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone (a key hormone in maintaining pregnancy).
• For the third blank: In the third month, the placenta takes over hormone - production (as the text says "assumes the job of producing estrogen and progesterone").
• For the fourth blank: Estrogen and progesterone are involved in breast development for lactation, and hPL works with estrogen (as it's mentioned "works cooperatively with... and progesterone").
• For the fifth blank: Relaxin eases the passage during birth (as it affects pelvic ligaments and pubic symphysis which are relevant to the birth process).

Answer:

1 fetal 2 progesterone 3 placenta 4 estrogen 5 birth