Endocrine Abstracts

Human luteinizing hormone (LH) and human choriogonadotropin (hCG) were considered biologically equivalent for decades due to structural similarities and binding to the same receptor (LHCGR). However, LHCGR triggers differential, LH- and hCG-specific, cAMP production, steroidogenesis, ERK and AKT activation and gene expression in granulosa cells. Besides the Gs/cAMP/PKA pathway, hCG and LH bioactivity on β-arrestin- and Gq/PLC-dependent pathways are yet to be determined. W...

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is the pregnancy hormone marketed as a drug for assisted reproduction technologies to support follicle-stimulating hormone action. Several hCG formulations are commercially available, differing in source, purification methods and biochemical composition. In this study, we investigated the molecular features and the intracellular signaling mediated by five urinary and recombinant hCGs. The drug comparisons were performed by quantifying the hor...