Human chorionic gonadotropinhCG
LH-like hormone that sustains the corpus luteum in early pregnancy.
EndogenousEstablished
Identity
- Class
- Glycoprotein hormone (α/β heterodimer)
- Source
- Placental syncytiotrophoblast
- Receptor
- LH/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR)
Key properties
Molecular weight
≈ 36,700 Da
Approximate values for the native hormone. Engineered analogs are often deliberately larger and far longer-acting.
Mechanism
Produced by the placenta in early pregnancy, hCG acts on the same LHCGR receptor as LH to maintain the corpus luteum and its progesterone output until the placenta takes over. Its presence is the basis of pregnancy testing.
Reference notes
- hCG and LH share the LHCGR receptor — functionally hCG provides an LH-like signal.
- Its longer half-life than LH suits the sustained support the corpus luteum needs.
- Detection of the hCG beta subunit underlies pregnancy tests.
Selected literature
Curated peer-reviewed reviews, sourced from PubMed. Selected for relevance, not exhaustive — open any entry on PubMed for the full record and its primary citations.
- 1.Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Early Embryogenesis: Review · International journal of molecular sciences, 2022 · PMID 35163303
- 2.The association between human chorionic gonadotropin and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis · American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 2024 · PMID 37572838