Human chorionic gonadotropin

Definition

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone produced by the placenta shortly after conception. It plays a crucial role in maintaining pregnancy by stimulating the corpus luteum to produce progesterone, which is essential for creating a suitable environment for fetal development. hCG is also the hormone detected in pregnancy tests, making it significant in reproductive endocrinology.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. hCG levels rise rapidly in early pregnancy and can be detected in urine or blood tests, typically around 10 days after conception.
2. In addition to its role in pregnancy, hCG is sometimes used in fertility treatments to trigger ovulation and support luteal phase development.
3. Certain tumors can produce hCG, which may be used as a tumor marker in conditions like gestational trophoblastic disease and some testicular cancers.
4. hCG has two subunits, alpha and beta, with the beta subunit being unique to hCG and important for its biological activity.
5. Monitoring hCG levels can help assess the health of a pregnancy, as abnormal levels may indicate potential complications such as ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.

Review Questions

• How does human chorionic gonadotropin function in early pregnancy maintenance?
  • Human chorionic gonadotropin plays a vital role in early pregnancy by signaling the corpus luteum to continue producing progesterone. This hormone is crucial for thickening the uterine lining, ensuring it is ready for implantation and sustaining fetal development. Without sufficient hCG levels, the corpus luteum would degrade, leading to a decrease in progesterone and potentially resulting in miscarriage.
• What clinical applications does human chorionic gonadotropin have beyond its role in pregnancy?
  • Beyond its essential function in maintaining pregnancy, human chorionic gonadotropin is used in various clinical applications. It can be administered as part of fertility treatments to trigger ovulation and support the luteal phase. Additionally, hCG levels are monitored to diagnose certain types of tumors, as some cancers can produce elevated hCG levels, serving as an important biomarker for specific malignancies.
• Evaluate the implications of abnormal human chorionic gonadotropin levels during pregnancy and their potential impact on fetal health.
  • Abnormal human chorionic gonadotropin levels during pregnancy can have significant implications for fetal health. Elevated hCG might indicate conditions such as molar pregnancies or multiple gestations, while low levels could signal an ectopic pregnancy or risk of miscarriage. Monitoring these levels allows healthcare providers to identify potential complications early, making it crucial for timely interventions that can protect both maternal and fetal well-being.

Related terms

Progesterone: A hormone produced by the corpus luteum that helps prepare the uterine lining for implantation and supports early pregnancy.

Corpus Luteum: A temporary endocrine structure formed from the follicle after ovulation that produces hormones, including progesterone and estrogen, to maintain pregnancy.

Placenta: An organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy, providing oxygen and nutrients to the growing fetus while removing waste products.