Research Topic · Peer-Reviewed

Progesterone

Progesterone is a steroid hormone belonging to the progestogen group that occupies a central role in endocrine regulation of reproduction, while also exerting effects in non-reproductive tissues. It is synthesised from cholesterol primarily by the corpus luteum of the ovary and by the placenta during pregnancy, with…

Curated from this journal's research 📚 10 peer-reviewed articles cited Cited 79× across the literature 🔖 ISSN 3070-2313 🗓 Reviewed July 2026

Overview

Progesterone is a steroid hormone belonging to the progestogen group that occupies a central role in endocrine regulation of reproduction, while also exerting effects in non-reproductive tissues. It is synthesised from cholesterol primarily by the corpus luteum of the ovary and by the placenta during pregnancy, with additional production in the adrenal cortex, and it functions both as a circulating hormone and as a precursor in the biosynthesis of other steroids. In the female reproductive system, progesterone governs the secretory phase of the menstrual or estrous cycle, prepares and maintains the endometrium for implantation, and sustains pregnancy by keeping the uterus quiescent and supporting fetal development. Its actions are mediated mainly through nuclear progesterone receptors that regulate the transcription of target genes in the uterus, ovary, mammary gland, and brain. Beyond reproduction, progesterone influences the central nervous system and contributes to the steroidogenic pathways that produce androgens and other hormones. In endocrinology, it is studied in relation to reproductive cycling, fertility and assisted reproduction, the effects of hormonal contraceptive preparations on the pituitary and reproductive tract, and broader questions of dose-dependent physiological modulation. Because progesterone integrates ovarian and placental signals to coordinate the reproductive cycle and pregnancy, and interacts with the wider hormonal milieu, it is fundamental to reproductive endocrinology and the hormonal control of physiological homeostasis.

Research published in this journal

10 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.

How this research is being cited

The 10 articles above have been cited 79 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.

A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Progesterone, linking to each citing work.

Editorial oversight

Curated from peer-reviewed research published in Endocrinology And Hormones (ISSN 3070-2313).

Journal editorial board
Kamran Mahmood Ahmed Aziz · Saudi Arabia Xiangwei Xiao · United States Alexander G. Obukhov · United States

This page summarises published research for orientation; it is not medical or professional advice.