Research Use Only. Peptides Lab UK supplies research-grade materials for in-vitro laboratory research only. Nothing on this page is medical advice or an instruction for human or animal use, and no product sold on this website is a medicine.
What is hCG?
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone made of an α-subunit shared with LH, FSH and TSH and a hormone-specific β-subunit. It acts through the LH/hCG receptor. Prescription hCG medicines are regulated by the MHRA; research-grade hCG sold by Peptides Lab UK is not a medicinal product.
Published research
Reviews describe hCG’s structure, its different glycoforms and their biological activity, its role in early pregnancy and its use in pregnancy diagnostics, and the evolutionary and functional differences between LH and hCG.[1,2,3,4]
Limitations of the evidence
Much of the available literature is preclinical (cell and animal models) or comes from small numbers of research groups. Findings in defined experimental systems cannot be extrapolated to other settings, and this page does not provide dosing, administration or human-use information.
Laboratory handling and storage
Lyophilised peptides are generally stored sealed, protected from light and moisture, at low temperature as specified on the certificate of analysis. Once reconstituted for in-vitro work, solutions are typically kept refrigerated and used within a validated stability window. Researchers should follow their institution’s procedures and the batch documentation (HPLC purity and mass-spectrometry identity) supplied with each lot.
UK regulatory status
In the UK, medicines are regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Research-grade compounds sold by Peptides Lab UK are supplied strictly for laboratory research; they are not medicinal products, are not manufactured to medicinal GMP standards and must not be used in humans or animals.
Related research pages
- peptides in reproductive biology research
- gonadorelin acetate
- kisspeptin-10
- HMG
- peptide reconstitution calculator
- full quality-standards SOP
References
- Herkert D et al. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin-A Review of the Literature. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2022; 77(9):539-546. doi:10.1097/OGX.0000000000001053 PMID: 36136076.
- Fournier T et al. Human chorionic gonadotropin: Different glycoforms and biological activity depending on its source of production. Ann Endocrinol (Paris). 2016; 77(2):75-81. doi:10.1016/j.ando.2016.04.012 PMID: 27177499.
- Choi J et al. Luteinizing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin: origins of difference. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2014; 383(1-2):203-13. doi:10.1016/j.mce.2013.12.009 PMID: 24365330.
- Montagnana M et al. Human chorionic gonadotropin in pregnancy diagnostics. Clin Chim Acta. 2011; 412(17-18):1515-20. doi:10.1016/j.cca.2011.05.025 PMID: 21635878.
Disclaimer: All products sold by Peptides Lab UK are for laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use, not for consumption, and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This page is an educational literature summary and is not medical advice.
