What is released by the corpus luteum following ovulation?

After ovulation, the corpus luteum, which forms from the remnants of the ovarian follicle that released an egg, plays a crucial role in female reproductive physiology. It produces hormones, primarily estrogen and progesterone.

These hormones are vital for preparing the uterine lining for a potential implantation of a fertilized egg. Progesterone helps maintain the uterine environment, making it suitable for a developing embryo, while estrogen also contributes to the thickening of the uterine lining and supports the overall changes that occur during the menstrual cycle.

The other listed options do not align with the functions of the corpus luteum. Insulin is a hormone that regulates glucose levels in the body and is produced by the pancreas, not the ovaries. Testosterone is primarily produced in the testes in males, although females do produce it in smaller amounts, but it is not released by the corpus luteum. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and plays a role in follicle development rather than being released by the corpus luteum itself. Thus, the correct response reflects the essential hormonal output of the corpus luteum following ovulation.