human chorionic gonadotropin

noun

: a glycoprotein hormone similar in structure to luteinizing hormone that is secreted by the placenta during early pregnancy to maintain corpus luteum function and is commonly tested for as an indicator of pregnancy

Examples of human chorionic gonadotropin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These may include high levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or alpha-fetoprotein in the blood, or severe morning sickness. —Pamela Prindle Fierro, Parents, 22 July 2024

Pregnancy tests measure a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) which is secreted by the placenta starting in early pregnancy. —​wendy Wisner, Parents, 18 Nov. 2023

First, the pregnancy hormones progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) cause an increase in blood volume throughout the body. —Kimberly A. Daly, Parents, 21 Aug. 2023

The only way to know for sure was to test my level of human chorionic gonadotropin, better known as hCG, a hormone that doubles every 72 hours in early pregnancy. —Megan Turchi, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Jan. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

human chorionic gonadotropin

noun

: a glycoprotein hormone similar in structure to luteinizing hormone that is secreted by the placenta during early pregnancy to maintain corpus luteum function and stimulate placental progesterone production, is found in the urine and blood serum of pregnant women, is commonly tested for as an indicator of pregnancy, is used medically to induce ovulation and to treat male hypogonadism and cryptorchidism, and is produced in certain cancers (as of the testes)

—abbreviation HCG