Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is produced by the placenta. It is excreted in the urine of pregnant women. It is a water soluble dimeric glycoprotein hormone. It is composed of the alpha subunit and beta subunits. Other members of this family of glycoprotein hormones include the follicle stimulating hormone and thyroid stimulating hormone besides luteinizing hormone. Human chorionic gonadotropin is found only in pregnant women. Its peak level is during the first pregnancy trimester. This hormone is not present in the non pregnant females or not in males too. Human chorionic gonadotropin’s main function is to stimulate the development of gonads in the fetus.
Human chorionic gonadotropin is useful for treating several human disorders. This is because the biological property of human chorionic gonadotropin & the luteinizing hormone is quite similar. The peptide structures of the beta subunits of both these hormones are closely related to each other. They bind to the same receptor. This induces the same biological reaction.
Human chorionic gonadotropin is more easily available as compared to the luteinizing hormone. Human chorionic gonadotropin has been more effective than luteinizing hormone in infertility treatment. Human chorionic gonadotropin is used to treat threatened abortion besides delayed adolescence & oligospermia. It is also used in the treatment of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism as well as prepubertal cryptorchidism. It is used to treat women who have luteal phase defects as well as disorders of their menstrual cycle.
Human chorionic gonadotropin injections are effective in effective fat loss for idiots. This is done by aiding in localized reduction as well as affecting mood besides suppressing hunger too. This obesity therapy includes injections of Human chorionic gonadotropin as well as dietary modification. It was introduced by Simeons in 1954. Simeons developed his weight loss therapy which was based on his experience of treating small boys who were suffering from dystrophia adipositogenitalis by using human chorionic gonadotropin. Obese patients who are treated with Simeons therapy display a rapid weight loss, & that too without feeling weak or hungry.
Even today, low dose injectable Human chronic gonadotropin combined with a weight loss diet is one of the popular methods for weight control as well as obesity treatment. Although, a recent test has shown that Human chorionic gonadotropin therapy does not aid in weight loss. And that Human chorionic gonadotropin diet shows no advantage over calorie restriction method in reducing weight.