BHCG EIA Kit

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), secreted by the chorionic tissue in the placenta, is a glycoprotein hormone with molecular weight of 46 kDa. HCG contains two different subunits (a and B) linked by non covalent bounds. The a subunit of HCG is common to several other hormones (LH, FSH,TSH). The B subunit, unique to HCG and responsible for biological specificity, has some sequence similarity with the B subunit of LH, HCG has an important role in maintaining the function of the corpus leteum the first weeks of pregnancyIn healthy, non-pregnant individuals the concentration of HCG in serum is lower than 5 IU/I. Elevated HCG levels are seen in pregnancy (8 to 11 days after conception), trophoblastic diseases, and germ cell tumors. The primary use of HCG measurement is for early detection and monitoring of pregnancy. HCG is also a useful tumor marker for tumors of the placenta (trophoblastic tumors) and some tumors of testis. Levels of HCG correlate with tumor volume and disease prognosis.