Detection Of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Research Articles

Early detection of human chorionic gonadotropin in urine by simple immunoassays

Data are presented to show that human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine can be detected early in pregnancy by simple immunoassays performed prior to or around the time of the expected but missed menstrual period. Differences between the use of simple immunoassays with urine and radioimmunoassays and radioreceptor assays with serum are discussed.

The significance of human chorionic gonadotropin in blood serum for the early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.

Determination of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) values in the serum by the radioimmunoassay technique, was performed in 23 women with suspected ectopic pregnancies. In 16 cases the values of HCG were high and the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy was verified by laparoscopy and laparotomy. In 7 cases low HCG values were found and ectopic pregnancy was excluded. The detection of HCG in the serum was found to be an excellent tool for the early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy, thus helping to prevent the dangerous sequelae which follow the late diagnosis of this condition.

Initial detection of human chorionic gonadotropin in serum in normal human gestation

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), with a radioimmunoassay system that specifically measures this hormone, and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured in serum samples obtained daily from 3 women from about 10 to 30 days after the last menses in the cycle of conception. With the specific assay, it was found that HCG was initially detected from 1 to 3 days earlier than the first observable increase in radioimmunoassayable HCG-LH. HCG was detected initially in the peripheral serum 8 days after ovulation, soon after implantation.

Postovulatory contraception in women with large doses of norethindrone

The postovulatory administration of large doses of norethindrone to women has previously been shown to drastically reduce the peripheral plasma levels of progesterone. In 10 treatment cycles, compared to 10 control cycles from the same women, this effect was confirmed and a similar effect upon the peripheral plasma levels of estradiol was found. The contraceptive efficacy of this treatment was tested. Eighty volunteers were treated during 301 cycles. Eighty per cent of the women had been pregnant before. The plasma levels of progesterone and estradiol were determined before and after treatment in each cycle. A very sensitive test for the detection in serum of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) was included. A total dose of 200 mg of norethindrone was used in two different schedules (100 mg daily on day 21–22 and 50 mg daily on day 19–22). Twenty-two pregnancies occurred, but in 4 of these women, the only indication of pregnancy was the detection of HCG. Two women did not take the tablets according to schedule, leaving 16 patients who had to be aborted therapeutically. At least 70 per cent of the cycles were found to be ovulatory. Control of vaginal bleeding was good and only minor side effects occurred. The treatment possibly reduced fertility in this group of women but the contraceptive efficacy was obviously too low to merit further use of the present dose and schedules.

The Clinical Value of a Quantitative Immunological Assay for Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin

Summary: An immunological method for the detection of human chorionic gonadotrophin in urine is outlined. The results obtained with this method in 1,517 normal antenatal patients are given. These findings are related to the results obtained in patients with abnormal pregnancies (rhesus isoimmunization, abortion, ectopic pregnancy and hydatidiform mole). When its limitations are recognised this test can be of value in certain abnormal pregnancy states.

Electrophoretic precipitin test on cellulose acetate.

The simultaneous electrophoretic movement of antigen through antiserum on paper, termed transmigration, is a means of detecting immune reactions. In order to detect multiple precipitin reactions rapidly as a means of demonstrating antigen homogeneity or heterogeneity, antiserum may be separated electrophoretically on cellulose acetate, immediately followed by application and migration of appropriate antigen(s) through the 7-globulin portion of the antiserum, a procedure we now term electrophoretic precipitin test (or electroprecipitin test). In the present study, we extended observations on the electrophoretic precipitin test by comparing it with a standard gel diffusion test in a semiquantitative manner, and also investigated its application to the detection of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCC) in the urine of pregnant women.