Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone produced by the placenta shortly after a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. Its primary role in early pregnancy is to maintain the production of progesterone by the ovaries, which is vital for sustaining the uterine lining and supporting fetal development. The presence of HCG in the bloodstream is what pregnancy tests detect, as levels rise significantly in the early weeks of pregnancy. This hormone helps ensure that the pregnancy progresses by preventing the breakdown of the corpus luteum, a structure that releases hormones to support the pregnancy until the placenta takes over.

In addition to its role in pregnancy, HCG has several medical applications. It is commonly used in fertility treatments, where it can induce ovulation in women and stimulate testosterone production and sperm development in men. For women, HCG injections are often given to trigger the release of eggs during in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. In men, HCG can be used to treat conditions like hypogonadism, where the body doesn't produce enough testosterone.