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Hormonal

HCG Guide & Tableau de Dose

A gonadotropin researched for endocrine and fertility protocols.

Également appeléHuman Chorionic Gonadotropin
Demi-vie~24-36 h
Voiesubcutaneous
HCG — Tableau de dose
Chaque ligne citée
ObjectifDoseFréquenceDuréePreuveSource
Ovulation trigger / luteal phase support (pharmacokinetics reference dose) 5000 IU single dose per trial Clinical PMID 8908528 PMID 1712735
Ovulation trigger / luteal phase support (higher dose, subcutaneous or intramuscular) 10000 IU single dose per trial Clinical PMID 8908528
Pharmacokinetic comparison SC vs IM in healthy males 5000 IU single dose per trial Clinical PMID 1712735
À des fins de recherche et d'éducation uniquement. Pas un avis médical.

What is HCG?

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin — HCG for short — is a hormone your body actually makes naturally. It belongs to a family of hormones called gonadotropins, which are chemical messengers that talk to the reproductive organs.[3] HCG is a glycoprotein, meaning it's a protein with sugar molecules attached. It's built from two pieces locked together, called the alpha and beta subunits.[1]

In nature, HCG is one of the first hormones a developing embryo produces — its RNA is already being made at just the eight-cell stage, before the embryo even implants in the uterus.[6] Eventually the placenta takes over production. That's why a positive home pregnancy test (which detects HCG in urine) can show up so early in pregnancy.[5]

In research settings, scientists use a lab-produced (exogenous) version of HCG to study its effects on the endocrine system, fertility, and beyond.

How HCG Works

Think of HCG as a master key. The body has specific locks — called LH/CG receptors — on cells in the ovaries and testes. HCG fits those locks almost perfectly, mimicking the action of Luteinizing Hormone (LH), another natural hormone.[3] When HCG binds to those receptors, it tells the gonads to produce sex hormones — mainly progesterone in women and testosterone in men.

HCG also has four known isoforms (versions), including classical HCG and hyperglycosylated HCG. Each version seems to play slightly different biological roles, from supporting implantation to promoting new blood vessel growth (angiogenesis).[6] It even has effects on thyroid function and immune regulation.[6]

What the Research Shows

Most of the published science on HCG focuses on two big areas: fertility support and early pregnancy maintenance.

  • Pregnancy diagnosis and monitoring: Measuring HCG levels in blood or urine is one of medicine's most reliable early-pregnancy tests. Rising or falling HCG can signal whether a pregnancy is developing normally or not.[3]
  • IVF protocols: A bolus (single large dose) of exogenous HCG is standard practice for triggering ovulation in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles.[3]
  • Male infertility research: A 2025 systematic review covering data from 926 men across seven randomized controlled trials found that HCG showed statistically significant improvements in sperm morphology and pregnancy rate in men with varicocele treated after varicocelectomy. HCG-combined therapy also increased pregnancy rates in men with oligospermia (low sperm count).[2] However, the authors note that the overall evidence is limited and more research is needed.[2]
  • Cancer biology: HCG's relationship with cancer is complex and paradoxical. Placental HCG appears to act as a protective agent in breast tissue — possibly explaining why full-term pregnancy lowers breast cancer risk. But when certain cancer cells produce their own beta-HCG ectopically (in the wrong place), it can actually promote tumor growth.[4] Researchers are exploring whether mimicking pregnancy-like HCG exposure could one day be a cancer-prevention strategy.[4]
  • Early embryogenesis: HCG promotes uterine blood vessel growth (angiogenesis), helps regulate immune tolerance so the embryo isn't rejected, and may reduce miscarriage risk — all active areas of study.[6]

What HCG Is Being Studied For

Based on published literature, researchers are investigating HCG across several areas:

  • Ovulation triggering and luteal phase support in assisted reproduction[3]
  • Male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (where the pituitary doesn't signal the testes properly)[2]
  • Male infertility, including oligospermia and post-varicocelectomy recovery[2]
  • Early pregnancy support and miscarriage prevention[6]
  • HCG's potential role in breast cancer prevention and tumor biology[4]
  • Its wider roles as an endocrine regulator during gestation[1]

How HCG Is Dosed in Research

Doses used in clinical research vary quite a bit depending on the protocol. Common single-dose references seen in trials include 5,000 IU and 10,000 IU administered subcutaneously (under the skin) or intramuscularly (into muscle) for ovulation triggering and luteal phase support, and 5,000 IU has also been used in pharmacokinetic studies comparing subcutaneous versus intramuscular delivery in healthy males.[3] These numbers are for research reference only. See the dosage chart on this page for a full breakdown of doses by protocol, and use the calculator to work through unit conversions for your research setup. Always follow your specific research protocol — no single dose fits every context.

Mixing and Storing HCG

HCG in research settings typically comes as a lyophilized powder — freeze-dried to keep it stable during shipping and storage. Before use, it needs to be reconstituted, which just means dissolving the powder in a liquid, usually bacteriostatic water (sterile water with a small amount of benzyl alcohol to prevent microbial growth).

Here are the general principles researchers follow:

  • Before mixing: Store the dry powder in a cool, dry place — often at 2–8°C (standard refrigerator temperature) or as specified by the supplier.
  • Mixing: Add bacteriostatic water slowly to the vial. Swirl gently — don't shake vigorously, as this can damage the protein structure.
  • After mixing: Reconstituted HCG is generally stored refrigerated and used within a limited window (commonly within 30 days, though this depends on the specific product and storage conditions).
  • Protect from light: Like most peptide hormones, HCG should be kept away from direct sunlight or strong UV exposure.
  • Never freeze reconstituted solution unless the specific product instructions say otherwise — freezing a liquid solution can degrade the hormone.

Always follow the storage and handling instructions provided with the specific research-grade compound you are using.

Sources

  1. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)-An Endocrine, Regulator of Gestation and Cancer. — International journal of molecular sciences, 2018. PMID 29772831.
  2. Use of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) or HCG-Combined Treatments in Male Infertility: A Systematic Review. — Cureus, 2025. PMID 41210019.
  3. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. — , 2026. PMID 30422545.
  4. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Breast Cancer. — International journal of molecular sciences, 2017. PMID 28754015.
  5. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin-A Review of the Literature. — Obstetrical & gynecological survey, 2022. PMID 36136076.
  6. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Early Embryogenesis: Review. — International journal of molecular sciences, 2022. PMID 35163303.

HCG FAQ

What is HCG?
HCG stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. It's a naturally occurring glycoprotein hormone — made of two protein subunits with sugars attached — first produced by a developing embryo and later by the placenta.[1] In research, a lab-produced version is used to study reproductive and endocrine processes.[3]
How does HCG work?
HCG mimics Luteinizing Hormone (LH) by binding to LH/CG receptors on the ovaries and testes.[3] This triggers sex hormone production — progesterone in women, testosterone in men. It also promotes angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation), supports immune tolerance, and may influence thyroid function.[6]
What is HCG used for in research?
Researchers study HCG for ovulation triggering in IVF, luteal phase support, male infertility (including oligospermia and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism), early pregnancy maintenance, and its complex role in cancer biology — where it appears protective in breast tissue under some conditions but tumor-promoting in others.[2][4][3]
How is HCG dosed in research?
Doses seen in clinical trials range widely. Single doses of 5,000 IU and 10,000 IU (subcutaneous or intramuscular) appear in ovulation-trigger and luteal support protocols.[3] Check the dosage chart on this page for protocol-specific reference doses. Dosing always depends on the specific research context and should follow the study protocol exactly.
How do you reconstitute HCG?
Research-grade HCG typically comes as a freeze-dried powder. To reconstitute, add bacteriostatic water slowly to the vial and swirl gently — don't shake. Store the mixed solution refrigerated (2–8°C), protected from light, and use within the timeframe specified for your product. Never freeze the reconstituted liquid unless instructed.
Is HCG safe? Are there risks in research?
HCG is a well-characterized hormone with a long research history, but it is not without risks. The 2025 systematic review of male infertility trials noted absent or limited reporting of adverse events across studies, highlighting gaps in safety data.[2] As a research compound, HCG should only be used in properly supervised scientific contexts. It is not approved for general consumer use.