THE Human Chorionic Gonadotropin is a glycoprotein hormone, commonly known as hCG, which is produced by the placenta during gestation. This hormone is unique to pregnancy and is therefore used to confirm this condition. However, in some diseases, such as hydatiform spring and choriocarcinoma, hCG is also produced. Furthermore, it is an important indicator of testicular tumors.
hCG has structural characteristics that make it similar to FSH, LH and TSH, as it is formed by two subunits, the so-called α-chain and β-chain. The α chain is quite similar in these four hormones, unlike the β chain, which confers specificity.
THE physiological function of hCG is to maintain the corpus luteum during early pregnancy, for approximately 10 weeks, and to stimulate steroid production. This prevents the loss of endometrium and the end of pregnancy. Your production it begins at the time of implantation and peaks when gestation completes nine weeks. It is possible to see the hormone in the patient's blood approximately seven days after the day of conception. After the hCG peak, values tend to progressively fall until they disappear completely one month after delivery.
THE serum dosage of β-hCG it is one of the most sensitive methods to confirm and observe the viability of a pregnancy and what should be done in cases of Gestational Trophoblastic Disease, such as hydatidiform mole. β-hCG can also be seen in urine, however, in these cases, the goal is generally not check the amount of the hormone, but its presence, as in cases of confirmation of a pregnancy.
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It is important to highlight that sometimes the pregnancy test can be negative, because the gestational age is very low. If the symptoms of pregnancy persist, a new test can be performed in order to measure the hormone, since in early pregnancy the β-hCG values double every 48 hours.
In cases of ectopic pregnancy, β-hCG values tend to be lower compared to normal pregnancies, with a small increase within two days. In cases of gestational trophoblastic disease, the picture that is observed is of very high values when compared to a normal pregnancy.
hCG can be sold as a drug to be used in the treatment of some diseases, such as in cases of female infertility, cryptorchidism, hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism and late puberty.
Curiosity: Have you ever heard of the hCG diet? It consists of the administration of hCG associated with a restrictive diet with few calories. Despite being quite widespread, there is no scientific evidence that hCG has any action on the metabolism of lipids or that it is an appetite controller, therefore, it is not indicated in treatment against loss of Weight.
By Ma. Vanessa dos Santos
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SANTOS, Vanessa Sardinha dos. "Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/biologia/gonadotrofina-corionica-humana-hcg.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
