Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone for the maternal recognition of pregnancy produced by trophoblast cells that are surrounding a growing embryo (syncytiotrophoblast initially), which eventually forms the placenta after implantation.[1][2] The presence of hCG is detected in some pregnancy tests (HCG pregnancy strip tests). Some cancerous tumors produce this hormone; therefore, elevated levels measured when the patient is not pregnant may lead to a cancer diagnosis and, if high enough, paraneoplastic syndromes, however, it is not known whether this production is a contributing cause, or an effect of carcinogenesis. The pituitary analog of hCG, known as luteinizing hormone (LH), is produced in the pituitary gland of males and females of all ages.[1][3]
Various endogenous forms of hCG exist. The measurement of these diverse forms is used in the diagnosis of pregnancy and a variety of disease states.[1] Preparations of hCG from various sources have also been used therapeutically, by both medicine and quackery. As of December 6, 2011[update], the United States Food and Drug Administration has prohibited the sale of "homeopathic" and over-the-counter hCG diet products and declared them fraudulent and illegal.[4][5][6]
Beta-hCG is initially secreted by the syncytiotrophoblast.[citation needed]
^ abcCole LA (January 2009). "New discoveries on the biology and detection of human chorionic gonadotropin". Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology. 7: 8. doi:10.1186/1477-7827-7-8. PMC 2649930. PMID 19171054.
^Gregory JJ, Finlay JL (April 1999). "Alpha-fetoprotein and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin: their clinical significance as tumour markers". Drugs. 57 (4): 463–467. doi:10.2165/00003495-199957040-00001. PMID 10235686. S2CID 46975142.
^Hoermann R, Spoettl G, Moncayo R, Mann K (July 1990). "Evidence for the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and free beta-subunit of hCG in the human pituitary". The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 71 (1): 179–186. doi:10.1210/jcem-71-1-179. PMID 1695224.
^Gever J (December 6, 2011). "FDA Yanks HCG Weight Loss Agents from Market". MedPage Today. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
^"HCG Diet Products Are Illegal". FDA. December 6, 2011.
^"FDA, FTC act to remove 'homeopathic' HCG weight loss products from the market" (PDF) (Press release). FDA. 6 December 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
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