23
Physiology of Normal
Pregnancy
Chapter 3
Remington Horesh, OMSII
❍ What percentage of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is carbohydrate?
30%. It has the most CHO content of all human hormones.
❍ What is the plasma half-life of intact hCG?
24 hours.
❍ hCG is structurally related to what three other glycoprotein hormones?
Luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
❍ How are the four hormones hCG, LH, FSH, and TSH structurally related?
Each has an identical alpha-subunit with a unique beta subunit.
❍ What chromosome codes for the alpha-subunit of hCG?
Chromosome 6 q12-q21 (a single gene).
❍ What chromosome codes for the beta subunit of hCG?
Chromosome 19 (seven separate genes).
❍ What is the major source of hCG?
Placental syncytiotrophoblast.
❍ At what gestational age, does hCG peak?
8 to 10 weeks.
❍ What is a blood pregnancy test measuring?
The beta subunit of the intact hCG molecule.