Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Luteinizing hormone (LH) and choriogonadotropin (hCG) are glycoprotein hormones regulating ovarian function and pregnancy. They were routinely used in assisted reproduction techniques (ART) assuming they are equivalent, due to their binding to a common receptor (LHCGR). However, differences between LH and hCG were demonstrated at molecular and physiological level.Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate how follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)...

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...