
Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a glycoprotein hormone used widely in endocrine and fertility research. Supplied lyophilized in a sealed single vial.
| Purity | ≥99% (LC-MS verified) |
| Form | Lyophilized powder, preservative free |
| Storage | Cool and dry; refrigerate after reconstitution |
| Batch | COA available on request |
Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a glycoprotein hormone used widely in endocrine and fertility research. Supplied lyophilized in a sealed single vial.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a glycoprotein hormone composed of two subunits — an alpha subunit shared with LH, FSH and TSH, and a beta subunit unique to HCG that determines its receptor specificity. It is produced during pregnancy and is the analyte detected by pregnancy testing.
In research it is used primarily as an LH receptor agonist: the beta subunit gives it strong affinity for the luteinizing hormone receptor, and its circulating half-life is considerably longer than LH itself.
Supplied as lyophilized powder, measured in international units rather than milligrams. For laboratory research use only. Not for human consumption.
HCG binds the LH/CG receptor on gonadal cells. Because it mimics LH but persists far longer in circulation, it is used in endocrine research where sustained receptor stimulation is needed.
The largest published literature concerns ovulation induction and testicular function, where HCG's LH-like activity is the mechanism of interest.
HCG is central to pregnancy diagnostics, and a distinct research literature concerns assay development, isoform characterisation and the analytical chemistry of its detection.
HCG exists in multiple glycosylated forms with differing half-lives and receptor behaviour, which is itself a subject of biochemical study.
HCG is an approved medicine for specific indications in several jurisdictions when supplied as a finished pharmaceutical. Research-grade material is not.
Concentration is set by the volume of diluent added. For a 5000IU vial, 2mL of bacteriostatic water yields 2500IU/mL. Calculate the working concentration your protocol requires rather than following a generic figure.
| State | Temperature | Practical shelf life |
|---|---|---|
| Lyophilized, sealed | −20 °C | 24+ months |
| Lyophilized, sealed | 2–8 °C | ~12 months |
| Lyophilized, sealed | Room temperature | Weeks — transit only |
| Reconstituted, bacteriostatic water | 2–8 °C | ~3–4 weeks |
| Reconstituted, sterile water | 2–8 °C | Same session |
Lyophilized peptide is stable enough to survive shipping at ambient temperature, which is why cold-chain courier service is not required for transit. Long-term storage is a different matter — material intended to be held for months belongs in a freezer.
Protect from light, and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Each cycle causes measurable degradation, so dividing a reconstituted stock into single-use aliquots before freezing is preferable to thawing and refreezing one vial repeatedly.
Every lot is tested by an independent laboratory using two orthogonal methods. HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) establishes purity as a percentage of total peptide content, separating the target compound from truncated sequences and synthesis by-products. LC-MS (liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry) confirms molecular identity by mass.
Both matter. Purity alone is insufficient — a 99% pure sample of the wrong compound is still the wrong compound. Together the two tests establish identity and quality, which is why HCG is released only after both pass.
The certificate of analysis references the lot number printed on your vial label. Request the COA for your lot at [email protected].
Peer-reviewed studies indexed in PubMed. Each links to the abstract and, where a free copy exists, to the full text. We link primary sources rather than summarising them second-hand.
Compounds studied alongside this one, or acting through related pathways.
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