Human chorionic gonadotropin(HCG) 5000iu vial
Certificate of Analysis available on request for the current lot.
Complete the setup
Reconstitution and bench supplies researchers pair with Human chorionic gonadotropin(HCG) 5000iu vial
NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION
Human chorionic gonadotropin(HCG) a glycoprotein hormone (α/β subunits) that acts as a potent LH-receptor (LHCGR) agonist. In ovaries it triggers final oocyte maturation/ovulation and supports the corpus luteum; in testes it stimulates Leydig cells → testosterone and, with FSH, spermatogenesis. hCG is prescription-only; formulations include urinary-derived (u-hCG) and recombinant (r-hCG).
Additional Benefits of hCG Now Under Investigation
| Benefit | Key take-aways |
|---|---|
| 1 Male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) | hCG restores intratesticular T and supports spermatogenesis when combined with FSH; monotherapy can normalize serum T and libido/energy in HH while preserving fertility potential. <br/><em>JCEM; Endocrine Reviews</em> |
| 2 Fertility preservation during testosterone therapy | Low-dose adjunct hCG can maintain intratesticular T, testicular volume, and sperm production in men receiving exogenous testosterone who wish to avoid azoospermia. <br/><em>Fertility and Sterility; Andrology</em> |
| 3 Induction of spermatogenesis after AAS suppression | Post–anabolic steroid or prolonged TRT, hCG ± FSH protocols help re-initiate spermatogenesis over months. <br/><em>Human Reproduction; Translational Andrology & Urology</em> |
| 4 Prepubertal cryptorchidism (select cases) | hCG can promote testicular descent in some boys (variable success); surgical orchiopexy remains standard. <br/><em>Pediatrics; European Urology</em> |
| 5 Female ART trigger | In IVF, r-hCG/u-hCG reliably triggers final oocyte maturation; kisspeptin or GnRH agonistmay be used in high-OHSS-risk patients. <br/><em>Human Reproduction Update; Reproductive Biomedicine Online</em> |
| 6 Luteal support (adjunct) | hCG can support early luteal progesterone production; modern programs often prefer progesterone to reduce OHSS risk. <br/><em>F&S Reviews; Cochrane</em> |
| 7 Hypogonadism with fertility intent | In functional/secondary hypogonadism (obesity, opioids), hCG can raise T while retaining fertility, sometimes avoiding TRT. <br/><em>Frontiers in Endocrinology; Clinical Endocrinology</em> |
| 8 Diagnostic uses | hCG stimulation tests assess Leydig cell reserve or steroidogenesis in ambiguous genitalia/CAH workups. <br/><em>Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism</em> |
| 9 Onco-fertility | In men treated for pituitary/cranial tumors, hCG±FSH helps re-establish fertility when gonadotropins recover poorly. <br/><em>Annals of Oncology; Endocrine Connections</em> |
2. Molecular Mechanism of Action
2.1 Receptor Pharmacodynamics
-
LHCGR (GPCR) agonist → Gs → cAMP/PKA → steroidogenesis (↑ StAR, CYP11A1) and gamete maturation.
-
In testes: Leydig cells → testosterone; Sertoli support via paracrine crosstalk (FSH still required for full spermatogenesis).
-
In ovaries: The “LH surge mimic” for oocyte maturation, luteinization, and progesterone output.
2.2 Down-stream Biology
| Pathway | Functional outcome | Context |
|---|---|---|
| cAMP/PKA → StAR/CYP enzymes | ↑ Testosterone / ↑ Progesterone | Testis / Ovary |
| Paracrine Sertoli support | Spermatogenic progression (with FSH) | Testis |
| Cumulus expansion/meiotic resumption | Final oocyte maturation | ART trigger |
3. Pharmacokinetics
-
Route: SC or IM.
-
Half-life: u-hCG ~24–36 h; r-hCG similar, enabling once-every-1–3-day dosing (men) or single trigger dose (women).
-
Detection: Prolonged biologic activity; relevant for anti-doping (detectable for days).
4. Pre-clinical and Clinical Evidence
4.1 Male HH & Fertility
Sequential hCG → +FSH regimens restore T, testicular volume, and sperm counts; pregnancy rates improve over 6–18 months depending on baseline testicular size, cryptorchidism history, and adherence.
4.2 Men on TRT desiring fertility
Adjunct low-dose hCG maintains intratesticular T and mitigates testicular atrophy; if azoospermic, add FSH and time.
4.3 Female ART
r-hCG is a gold-standard trigger; however, OHSS risk rises in high responders, GnRH-agonist trigger or kisspeptinmay be safer in such cases.
Evidence quality note: Strong, guideline-level support for HH, ART trigger, and fertility preservation; variable/limited utility for cryptorchidism and functional hypogonadism depends on phenotype.
5. Emerging Clinical Interests
| Field | Rationale | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Opioid-induced androgen deficiency | Preserve fertility, raise T without TRT | Small studies |
| Obesity-related secondary hypogonadism | LHCGR drive with lifestyle/GLP-1 adjuncts | Exploratory |
| Female hypoactive sexual desire (hCG-progesterone milieu) | Hormonal orchestration hypotheses | Very early |
| hCG micro-dosing in ART | Fine-tuning luteal support | Program-dependent |
6. Safety and Tolerability
-
Common: Injection-site pain, headache, mood lability, fatigue, acne/oiliness (from ↑ androgens in men), breast tenderness.
-
Men: Gynecomastia (via aromatization), erythrocytosis (rare vs TRT), worsening OSA in predisposed, testicular ache early in therapy.
-
Women: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) risk post-trigger (ascites, hemoconcentration), multiple gestation risk if not carefully managed.
-
Cardio-metabolic: Monitor BP, lipids, glucose when androgens rise.
-
Psych: Mood changes/irritability in a subset.
-
Contraindications: Hormone-sensitive cancers, pregnancy (outside ART indication), active thromboembolic disease, uncontrolled endocrine disorders.
-
Drug interactions: Additive androgenic effects with AAS/TRT; aromatase inhibitors/SERMs sometimes co-used to manage estradiol/gynecomastia in men aiming at fertility.
Comparative safety matrix
| Feature | hCG | Testosterone (TRT) | FSH (uFSH/rFSH) | GnRH agonist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fertility while treating hypogonadism | Preserved | Suppresses(azoospermia risk) | Supports spermatogenesis | Stimulates axis (if intact) |
| Primary target | LH receptor | Androgen receptor | FSH receptor | Pituitary GnRH receptor |
| Key risk | Gynecomastia / OHSS (women) | Erythrocytosis, infertility | Cost, injections | Flare, hypoestrogenic sx |
| Use in ART | Trigger / luteal support | No | Ovarian stimulation | Trigger (alt), down-reg |
7. Regulatory & Anti-Doping Landscape
-
Approvals: Widely approved for male HH, induction of ovulation/ART trigger, and cryptorchidism (regional differences).
-
Weight-loss warning: The “hCG diet” has been discredited; FDA/FTC warn against hCG for weight loss, no efficacy, unnecessary risk.
-
Sport: Prohibited by WADA in males (can mask or restore T after AAS) and is detectable; sanctions are common.
8. Future Directions
-
Personalized male fertility protocols: Optimizing hCG+FSH schedules by baseline testicular volume, AMH/inhibin B, and genetics.
-
Adjuncts to reduce OHSS: Wider adoption of GnRH-agonist/kisspeptin triggers and tailored luteal support instead of high-dose hCG in high responders.
-
Functional hypogonadism trials: Head-to-head hCG vs TRT (QoL, metabolic outcomes, fertility metrics).
-
Long-acting r-hCG and self-injector devices to improve adherence and cost-effectiveness.
Selected References
-
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism; Endocrine Reviews, Diagnosis/management of male hypogonadism and use of hCG ± FSH for fertility.
-
Fertility and Sterility; Human Reproduction Update, IVF trigger strategies (hCG vs GnRH-agonist vs kisspeptin) and OHSS mitigation.
-
Andrology; Human Reproduction, Fertility preservation during TRT using low-dose hCG; recovery after AAS.
-
Pediatrics; European Urology, Cryptorchidism medical therapy evidence and limitations.
-
Best Practice & Research Clin Endocrinol Metab, hCG stimulation tests in disorders of sex development/steroidogenesis.
-
FDA/FTC notices; Obesity, Warnings against the hCG diet and lack of weight-loss efficacy.
-
WADA / Drug Testing & Analysis, Prohibited status, detection methods, and case report
Researcher reviews
No reviews yet for this lot line. Verified purchasers can leave the first one.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.