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IPFS News Link • Science, Medicine and Technology

This Tree's a Lady!

• LiveScience

Scientists have discovered the female sex hormone progesterone in a walnut tree, shaking up what's known about the different between plants and animals.

Until now, scientists thought that only animals could make progesterone. A steroid hormone secreted by the ovaries, progesterone prepares the uterus for pregnancy and maintains pregnancy. A synthetic version, progestin, is used in birth control pills and other medications. 

 

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