During the latter stages of pregnancy, many women experience an increase in body hair growth in a masculine pattern. What is the explanation for this?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step 1: Maternal and fetal adrenal glands secrete androgenic steroids.
Step 2: Placenta uses these androgenic steroids to form estrogen.
Step 3: Increased estrogen levels can lead to body hair growth.
Therefore, the correct answer (C) is supported by the process of androgenic steroids being secreted by the adrenal glands, utilized by the placenta to form estrogen, resulting in increased body hair growth.
Summary:
A (The ovaries secrete some testosterone along with estrogen) is incorrect as testosterone is not primarily secreted by the ovaries late in pregnancy.
B (The fetal ovaries and testes secrete androgenic steroids) is incorrect as the primary source of androgenic steroids in this context is the adrenal glands, not fetal ovaries or testes.
D (The placenta secretes estrogen, some of which is metabolized to testosterone) is incorrect as the main source of estrogen in this scenario is from the and