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Chorionic Gonadotropin (Chorionic Gonadotropin (Human)) - Summary

 
 



SUMMARY

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a polypeptide hormone produced by the human placenta, is composed of an alpha and a beta sub-unit. The alpha sub-unit is essentially identical to the alpha sub-units of the human pituitary gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), as well as to the alpha sub-unit of human thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).  The beta sub-units of these hormones differ in amino acid sequence.  Chorionic gonadotropin is obtained from the human pregnancy urine. It is standardized by a biological assay procedure.

CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN (CHORIOGONADOTROPIN ALFA) is indicated for the following:

HCG HAS NOT BEEN DEMONSTRATED TO BE EFFECTIVE ADJUNCTIVE THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF OBESITY.  THERE IS NO SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE THAT IT INCREASES WEIGHT LOSS BEYOND THAT RESULTING FROM CALORIC RESTRICTION, THAT IT CAUSES A MORE ATTRACTIVE OR ‘‘NORMAL’’ DISTRIBUTION OF FAT, OR THAT IT DECREASES THE HUNGER AND DISCOMFORT ASSOCIATED WITH CALORIE-RESTRICTED DIETS.

  1. Prepubertal cryptorchidism not due to anatomical obstruction.  In general, HCG is thought to induce testicular descent in situations when descent would have occurred at puberty.  HCG thus may help predict whether or not orchiopexy will be needed in the future.  Although, in some cases, descent following HCG administration is permanent, in most cases, the response is temporary.  Therapy is usually instituted between the ages four and nine.
  2. Selected cases of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (hypogonadism secondary to a pituitary deficiency) in males.
  3. Induction of ovulation and pregnancy in the anovulatory, infertile woman in whom the cause of anovulation is secondary and not due to primary ovarian failure, and who has been appropriately pretreated with human menotropins.

See all Chorionic Gonadotropin indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Chorionic Gonadotropin

Examining the temperature of embryo culture in in vitro fertilization: a randomized controlled trial comparing traditional core temperature (37°C) to a more physiologic, cooler temperature (36°C). [2014]
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether culture at a more physiologically cooler temperature, as suggested by limited human and animal data, would improve blastulation and pregnancy rates in human clinical IVF...

The effect of low dose human chorionic gonadotropin on follicular response and oocyte maturation in PCOS patients undergoing IVF cycles: a randomized clinical trial of efficacy and safety. [2011.12]
PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of two regimens of low dose human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on follicular response and oocyte maturation in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)... CONCLUSIONS: A combination of FSH and low dose hCG improved oocyte maturity and preserved outcomes with improved safety and lowered cost.

Is earlier administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) associated with the probability of pregnancy in cycles stimulated with recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists? A prospective randomized trial. [2011.11]
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of timing of hCG administration and probability of pregnancy in patients stimulated with recombinant FSH/GnRH antagonists for IVF...

Levels of the epidermal growth factor-like peptide amphiregulin in follicular fluid reflect the mode of triggering ovulation: a comparison between gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist and urinary human chorionic gonadotrophin. [2011.05]
OBJECTIVE: To detect differences in follicular fluid (FF) levels of amphiregulin (AR), depending on mode of triggering final oocyte maturation.

Follicle-stimulating hormone administered at the time of human chorionic gonadotropin trigger improves oocyte developmental competence in in vitro fertilization cycles: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. [2011.04]
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether an additional follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) bolus administered at the time of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) trigger can improve the developmental competence of the oocyte.

more studies >>

Clinical Trials Related to Chorionic Gonadotropin

Comparison of Micro-dose Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) With Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (HMG) in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome [Completed]
The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of low dose human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in combination with clomiphen citrate to induce ovulation and its endocrine response in patients who had previously failed to ovulate on clomiphen citrate alone. The investigators will also compare the effectiveness and endocrine response of this approach with the regimen of adding HMG to clomiphen citrate.

A Study of Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin as Luteal Phase Support in Frozen Embryo Transfer [Recruiting]
A randomised trial on the use of luteal phase support in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles. The hypothesis of the study is that the use of luteal phase support with human chorionic gonadotrophin would increase the pregnancy rate in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles.

A Randomised Trial Using Highly Purified Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HP-hCG) and Recombinant Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (rhCG) in Women Undergoing Controlled Ovarian Stimulation [Not yet recruiting]
This trial is investigating the efficacy and safety of highly purified human chorionic gonadotropin (HP-hCG) and recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin (rhCG) for triggering of final follicular maturation in women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation

Effect of hCG on Receptivity of the Human Endometrium [Active, not recruiting]
Worldwide, 1 in 12 couples experience difficulty in getting pregnant and seek the help of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF-egg is fertilized by sperm outside the body), ovarian stimulation (medications are used to stimulate egg development) and intra-cytoplasmic injection (ICSI-single sperm is injected directly into the egg). Regardless of the ART procedure being performed, the newly fertilized embryo must still implant into the mothers endometrium (inner lining of uterus). This implantation process in humans is surprisingly inefficient and accounts for up to 50% of ART failures. Intrauterine infusion of hCG prior to embryo transfer has recently been shown to increase pregnancy rates but the cellular mechanism for this increase is unknown. Successful implantation requires the newly fertilized embryo and the endometrium develop in a synchronized manner. This coordinated development is accomplished, in part, by proteins secreted by the embryo which circulate throughout the maternal bloodstream and alert the maternal body organs (i. e. ovary, endometrium, breast, ect) that fertilization has occurred. One of the earliest of these secreted proteins is human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is the molecule detected in over-the-counter pregnancy tests. From previous studies, we know that hCG production by the embryo alerts the ovary to continue producing progesterone, a hormone required for pregnancy. However, very little is known about the direct effect of hCG on the endometrium during early pregnancy in humans. Using animal models, hCG has been shown to induce specific changes in the endometrium, suggesting that embryo-derived hCG may be "priming" the endometrium in anticipation of implantation. The goal of this research study is to examine the direct effect of hCG on the human endometrium and see if this "priming effect" is also present in humans. Findings from this research may reveal whether pre-treatment with hCG can enhance ART outcomes, especially pregnancy rates.

Study to Examine Effect of Recombinant Luteinizing Hormone (r-Lh) and Recombinant Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (r-hCG) for Ovarian Stimulation in Assisted Reproduction Techniques (ART) [Completed]
The study is a prospective, randomised, controlled, and non-blinded multi-center pilot study to evaluate endocrine efficacy of recombinant luteinizing hormone versus recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin administered during controlled ovarian stimulation for IVF/ICSI in normogonadotrophic women.

more trials >>

Reports of Suspected Chorionic Gonadotropin Side Effects

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (24)Ascites (8)Caesarean Section (6)Alopecia (6)Headache (5)Abortion Spontaneous (5)Maternal Drugs Affecting Foetus (4)Loss of Consciousness (4)Pleural Effusion (4)Vomiting (4)more >>


Page last updated: 2014-12-01

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