During the third trimester, maternal fasting plasma glucose falls while postprandial glucose rises. The hormone chiefly responsible for this altered maternal carbohydrate handling is:

• A Human chorionic gonadotropin
• B Human placental lactogen ✓
• C Maternal growth hormone
• D Relaxin

Explanation

Human placental lactogen, produced in ever-increasing amounts by syncytiotrophoblast, acts as a growth hormone-like anti-insulin agent, producing peripheral insulin resistance and lipolysis. This spares glucose for the fetus and explains accelerated starvation in fasting and exaggerated postprandial peaks. hCG maintains the corpus luteum early in pregnancy and has no major metabolic role in the third trimester.

Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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