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Hormones

HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)

HPG Axis Tool

LH-receptor agonist glycoprotein hormone. The gold-standard research tool for Leydig cell steroidogenesis, ovarian function, HPG axis regulation and IVF research.

Amino Acids237
Mol. Weight36,700 Da
Half-Life24–36 hours
Availability ✅ In Stock
Amino Acid Sequence Glycoprotein — α (92 aa) + β (145 aa) subunits

What Is HCG?

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is a 237-amino-acid glycoprotein composed of an alpha subunit (92 aa, shared with LH/FSH/TSH) and a beta subunit (145 aa, unique). It binds the LH receptor (LHR) with equal affinity to endogenous LH. HCG has been used clinically since the 1950s.

Key Mechanisms

  • LHR agonism — activates testicular Leydig cell cAMP/PKA/StAR steroidogenic cascade
  • Testosterone synthesis — primary pharmacological tool for studying male HPG axis
  • Ovulation induction — triggers follicular rupture in ART protocols
  • Corpus luteum maintenance — maintains progesterone production in early pregnancy models

Key References

  1. Bosch E et al. “ESHRE guideline: ovarian stimulation for IVF/ICSI.” Hum Reprod Open, 2020;2020(2):hoaa009.
  2. Raivio T et al. “Reversal of idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.” N Engl J Med, 2007;357:863–873.
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