Which hormone is secreted by the ovaries?

The hormone secreted by the ovaries plays a crucial role in various physiological functions related to female reproductive health. Estrogen is primarily produced in the ovaries and is vital for the development of secondary sexual characteristics, regulation of the menstrual cycle, and maintenance of pregnancy. It influences a wide range of bodily functions, including bone density and cardiovascular health.

Both estrogen and progesterone are produced by the ovaries, but the question identifies estrogen specifically. While testosterone is primarily an androgen hormone associated with male characteristics and is produced in small amounts by the ovaries, it is not primarily considered a hormone secreted by the ovaries. Oxytocin, although important in childbirth and lactation, is produced by the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary gland, rather than being secreted by the ovaries. Thus, estrogen is the most directly relevant hormone in this context as a primary secretion of the ovaries.