Which structure secretes progesterone and estrogen after ovulation?

The corpus luteum is the structure responsible for secreting progesterone and estrogen after ovulation. Once the ovarian follicle releases an egg during the process of ovulation, the remaining cells of the follicle transform into the corpus luteum. This newly formed structure plays a critical role in the menstrual cycle and early stages of pregnancy by producing these hormones.

Progesterone is essential for preparing the uterine lining for potential implantation of a fertilized egg and helps to maintain pregnancy if fertilization occurs. Estrogen, meanwhile, contributes to the regulation of the menstrual cycle and the development of reproductive tissues.

In contrast, while the ovary is the organ where these processes take place, it is the corpus luteum specifically that is responsible for the secretion of these hormones after the release of the egg. The follicle itself is primarily involved in the maturation and release of the egg, not in the hormonal secretion that follows ovulation. The uterus, while important in the reproductive process, does not produce these hormones and instead responds to them. Therefore, understanding the role of the corpus luteum is crucial in recognizing its importance in reproductive physiology.