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HCG ELISA from BIOSERV Diagnostics

The placentary hormone HCG (human Chorionic Gondadotropin) is, like the gonadotropins from the pituitary gland and like TSH (Thyreoidea stimulating hormone) a proteohormone of about 30 kD, sharing the same α-subunit with the other three hormones mentioned. The biological activity of all these hormones is determined by the specific β-subunit.

With this BIOSERV HCG test human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is detected in human serum.

The HCG ELISA from BIOSERV is a ready-to-use kit.

To order the test please refer to the BIOSERV catalogue number BS - 85 - 22.

For further information please send us an e-mail: info@bioserv-diagnostics.com

        EU registration number DE/CA80/IVD1687

Detailed information on the HCG ELISA from BIOSERV Diagnostics

The human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a glycoprotein synthetized by normal trophoblast cells of the placenta during pregnancy. hCG consists of two subunits with a total molecular weight of 39 kD. The α-subunit is identical to the β-subunit of hLH (human Luteinizing Hormone), hFSH (human Follicle Stimulating Hormone) and hTSH (human Thyreoidea Stimulating Hormone). The β-subunit is responsible for the specific hormonal effects of the hCG molecule. Due to structural similarities the physiological and immunological properties of hCG correspond roughly to these of hLH. hCG has a luteotropic effect and supports the formation of the Corpus luteum graviditatis. It furthermore determines the endocrinological function of the fetal testis and of the fetal adrenal gland. hCG is for the most part secreted into the maternal circulation. It can be detected in the maternal serum already 6 – 8 days after the ovulation. The rise of the hCG concentration in serum takes place swiftly and reaches its maximum between the 8^th and 10^th week of pregnancy. After that the hCG titer drops off to a constant concentration over the further course of the pregnancy. Besides the early detection of a pregnancy the determination of hCG also allows the diagnosis of abnormal pregnancies. During an extrauterine pregnancy the hCG titer increases at a lower rate and stays at a lower level than during a normal pregnancy. Elevated hCG concentrations are generally observed in multiple pregnancies, but also in patients with neoplasms of trophoblastic and non-trophoblastic origin, like, e.g., testicular cancer, breast cancer, bronchial carcinoma and embryonal cell carcinomata.

Fields of application

The HCG Serum ELISA from BIOSERV Diagnostics can be applied in the clinical practice for

• the early diagnosis of a pregancy

• the prediction of a multiple pregnancy

• the diagnosis of an abnormal course of the pregnancy

• the prediction of spontaneous abortions

• the determination of the pregnancy stage

• follow-up investigations after therapy for trophoblastic tumours

• the differential diagnosis of female and male infertility

Sample material: serum

Reference value range for the hCG concentration in serum during a pregnancy

Reference: 1 IRP 75/537 (WHO)

For further information please send us an e-mail: info@bioserv-diagnostics.com

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