Episodic secretion of human chorionic gonadotropin
Ayala, A.R.; Bustos, H.; Antúnez, O.; González, E.
Archivos de Investigacion Medica 15(2): 147-153
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0066-6769 PMID: 6487004 Document Number: 222983
Daily human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and progesterone serum concentrations were investigated in 6 women during early pregnancy (< 8 wk). Fluctuation levels in circulating HCG were more notorious than for progesterone. HCG secretion peaks were apparent almost every 3 h, and these peaks exceeded baseline levels by 20%. In each woman the absolute difference in HCG measurements varied from 1.0-7.0 IU/ml. During 1 day, an average of 5 HCG peaks related to progesterone elevations were detected. HCG can be secreted episodically (pulses 2-4 h), and this could be important for the maintenance of normal corpus luteum function.