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Description: The major progestational steroid that is secreted primarily by the corpus luteum and the placenta. Progesterone acts on the uterus, the mammary glands and the brain. It is required in embryo implantation; pregnancy maintenance, and the development of mammary tissue for milk production. Progesterone, converted from pregnenolone, also serves as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of gonadal steroid hormones and adrenal corticosteroids. [PubChem]
Drug Type: Small Molecule; Approved
Pharmacology: Progesterone is a progestin or a synthetic form of the naturally occurring female sex hormone, progesterone. In a woman's normal menstrual cycle, an egg matures and is released from the ovaries (ovulation). The ovary then produces progesterone, preventing the release of further eggs and priming the lining of the womb for a possible pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs, progesterone levels in the body remain high, maintaining the womb lining. If pregnancy does not occur, progesterone levels in the body fall, resulting in a menstrual period. Progesterone tricks the body processes into thinking that ovulation has already occurred, by maintaining high levels of the synthetic progesterone. This prevents the release of eggs from the ovaries.
Mechanism of Action: Binds to the progesterone and estrogen receptors. Target cells include the female reproductive tract, the mammary gland, the hypothalamus, and the pituitary. Once bound to the receptor, progestins like Progesterone will slow the frequency of release of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus and blunt the pre-ovulatory LH (luteinizing hormone) surge.
Indication: For progesterone supplementation or replacement as part of an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) treatment for infertile women with progesterone deficiency and for the treatment of secondary amenorrhea. Also used as a female contraceptive.
Half Life: 34.8-55.13 hours
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Data Correlations | 39 studies

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Genes category icon Genes
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ESR1 100 100
PGR 100 100
AREG 100 100
PON1 100 100
RGN 97 97
ALCAM 96 96
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Biogroups category icon Biogroups
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Focal Adhesion 100 100
PPAR Signaling Pathway 99 99
All Peptidase Inhibitors 99 99
Pleckstrin homology-type 98 98
Cell Communication 97 97
Insulin Signaling Pathway 97 97
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Individual Studies

  • Aberrations linked to breast cancer pathophysiologies

    Homo sapiens Homo sapiens | RNA Expression   RNA Expression

    This study explores the roles of genome copy number abnormalities (CNAs) in breast cancer pathophysiology by identifying associations between recurrent CNAs, gene expression, and clinical outcome in a set of aggressively treated early-stage breast tumors. It shows that the recurrent CNAs differ betw…

    Authors: Chin K, DeVries S, Fridlyand J et al.

    Organization: Comprehensive Cancer Center, University …

  • Interactions Between Progesterone and TNF-A in the Regulation of Primordial Follicle Assembly

    Rattus norvegicus Rattus norvegicus | RNA Expression   RNA Expression

    Follicle assembly is the process by which groups or ‘nests’ of oocytes break down to form primordial follicles. The size of the primordial follicle pool is the major determinant of the reproductive lifespan of a female. Previously, progesterone (P4) has been shown to inhibit follicle assembly, while…

    Authors: Nilsson E, Stanfield J, Skinner M

    Organization: WSU SMB Abelson 507 Pullman WA 99163 Cou…
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Associated Researchers

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Thought leaders and organizations working on research involving progesterone.

View All Author iconAuthors
  • Michael Schumacher
  • Donald G Stein
  • Rachida Guennoun
  • Alejandro F De Nicola
  • Women's Health Initiative Investigators
View All Clinical trial sponsors icon Clinical Trials Sponsors
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human De…
  • IBSA Institut Biochimique SA
  • Emory University
  • Columbia Laboratories
View All Affiliations icon Organizations
  • University of Southern California
  • University of Groningen
  • University of Edinburgh
  • Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München
  • Max-Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine

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