Which hormone's role includes mediating changes in immune function during pregnancy?

The chosen response highlights the role of progesterone in mediating changes in immune function during pregnancy. Progesterone is a key hormone that plays several crucial roles in maintaining pregnancy. One of its significant functions is to help modulate the maternal immune system to prevent it from rejecting the developing fetus, which is genetically distinct from the mother.

During pregnancy, progesterone helps to downregulate certain immune responses, creating an environment that supports fetal development and reduces the risk of complications arising from an overactive maternal immune response. By promoting a tolerogenic state, progesterone facilitates the acceptance of the placenta and fetus while still allowing the mother to defend against infections.

This immunomodulatory role is critical because pregnancy involves significant physiological changes, including shifts in immune system activity. An appropriate balance of immune tolerance and responsiveness is necessary to protect both the mother and the fetus throughout the gestation period.

Other hormones, such as estrogen and oxytocin, have various roles during pregnancy but are less directly involved in immunological changes compared to progesterone. Therefore, progesterone’s function in adjusting the immune response is vital for a successful pregnancy outcome.