Which hormone acts as an LH analog to stimulate ovulation?

• A. Luteinizing Hormone
• B. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
• C. Human chorionic gonadotropin
• D. Progesterone

Answer: (C)

The thing being tested is which hormone can mimic the signal that normally triggers ovulation. Luteinizing hormone is the natural trigger that surges to induce final follicle maturation, rupture, and corpus luteum formation. Human chorionic gonadotropin acts as an LH analog because it binds the same LH receptor on ovarian cells and produces a very similar response. Its beta subunit is different, but structurally enough similarity toLH that it activates the same signaling pathway, leading to ovulation and luteinization. Plus, hCG has a longer half-life than LH, so a single dose can reliably sustain the LH-like stimulus to complete ovulation in clinical settings such as assisted reproduction. The other hormones don’t mimic LH: FSH mainly promotes follicle growth without triggering ovulation, progesterone functions after ovulation to support the uterine lining, and LH itself is the natural trigger rather than an analog.