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Review
. 2017 May 14;18(5):1059.
doi: 10.3390/ijms18051059.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin: The Pregnancy Hormone and More

Charalampos Theofanakis  1 , Petros Drakakis  2 , Alexandros Besharat  3 , Dimitrios Loutradis  4
Affiliations
Review

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin: The Pregnancy Hormone and More

Charalampos Theofanakis et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

To thoroughly review the uses of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) related to the process of reproduction and also assess new, non-traditional theories. Review of the international literature and research studies. hCG and its receptor, LH/CGR, are expressed in numerous sites of the reproductive tract, both in gonadal and extra-goanadal tissues, promoting oocyte maturation, fertilization, implantation and early embryo development. Moreover, hCG seems to have a potential role as an anti-rejection agent in solid organ transplantation. Future research needs to focus extensively on the functions of hCG and its receptor LH/CGR, in an effort to reveal known, as well as unknown clinical potentials.

Keywords: LH/CGR; endometrial synchrony; hCG; immunization; oocyte maturation; ovulation induction.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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