Last update Feb. 19, 2019

Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin

Likely Compatibility

Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.

It is a glycoprotein hormone, produced initially by the embryo and then by the placenta, obtained from the urine of pregnant women and composed of 2 subunits: alpha (smaller) and beta (larger); the latter confers specificity.
Administered via subcutaneous and intramuscular injection. Subcutaneous administration produces peak levels and later elimination.
Its effects are mainly those of the luteinizing hormone, responsible for triggering ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum of the ovary in women and stimulating its hormonal production especially at the beginning of pregnancy (Sygma-Aldrich 2016).
Indicated to stimulate ovulation in assisted reproduction techniques. It is also used in threatened miscarriage and in cryptorchidism in children.
It is found naturally in small amounts in breastmilk (Lawrence 2016 p.139-147)

Since the last update we have not found published data on its excretion in breastmilk.

Its high molecular weight makes it very unlikely it will transfer into milk in significant quantities.

Due to its protein nature it is inactivated in the gastrointestinal tract, not being absorbed, so its oral bioavailability is practically nil, except in premature babies and the immediate neonatal period when there may be greater intestinal permeability.

May cause increased prolactin and galactorrhea (Mendes 2001).

No adverse effects have been reported in infants.

In infertility treatments, the possible theoretical anovulatory effect of frequent on demand breastfeeding must be taken into account.


See below the information of these related products:

  • Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)
  • Choriogonadotropin Alfa (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)
  • Lutropin Alfa (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Group

Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 0 %
Molecular weight 37.900 daltons
Tmax 6 - 20 hours
6 - 38 hours

References

  1. Sygma-Aldrich. Chorionic gonadotropin human. Drug Summary. 2016 Full text (in our servers)
  2. Mendes MC, Ferriani RA, Sala MM, Moura MD, Carrara HH, de Sá MF. Effect of transitory hyperprolactinemia on in vitro fertilization of human oocytes. J Reprod Med. 2001 Abstract

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