Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone produced primarily during pregnancy, specifically by the developing placenta after fertilization occurs. Also known as the pregnancy hormone, hCG plays a crucial role in supporting and maintaining pregnancy. This hormone is composed of two subunits, alpha and beta, with the beta subunit being specific to hCG.
In non-pregnant individuals, hCG levels are extremely low; however, during pregnancy, hCG production rapidly increases. Its primary function is to stimulate the production of progesterone, an essential hormone for maintaining the uterine lining during early pregnancy. Progesterone prevents the shedding of the uterine lining and supports the implantation and development of the embryo.
Additionally, hCG is the hormone detected in pregnancy tests to confirm the presence of pregnancy. It is usually measurable in the blood and urine within days after fertilization occurs. The detection of hCG in these tests helps to determine whether a woman is pregnant or not.
Aside from its role in pregnancy, hCG also has applications outside reproductive health. It is used as a fertility treatment to induce ovulation in women and stimulate testosterone production in men. Furthermore, hCG is also utilized for weight loss purposes in certain diets and medical weight loss programs, as it can help suppress appetite and enable the body to tap into stored fat resources.
In summary, human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone produced during pregnancy, primarily by the placenta. Its functions include supporting pregnancy, stimulating progesterone production, and confirming pregnancy in testing. It also has applications in fertility treatments, testosterone stimulation, and weight loss programs.
