What produces hCG in a pregnant female?

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Human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, is a hormone that is produced by the cells of an embryo. When you perform a home pregnancy test, you are looking for hCG in your urine.

Significance

The hormone hCG is produced by the cells of an embryo as it is about to implant in the uterus. Because a woman cannot make hCG, its presence in your urine means there is an embryo and you must be pregnant.

Origin

HCG is produced by the outer-most layer of embryonic cells called the syncytiotrophoblast. These cells eventually form the fetal part of the placenta.

Role

The role of hCG is to help the cells of the embryonic layer of the placenta to fuse with the cells of the uterine lining, which will become the maternal part of the placenta.

Timing

About five days after fertilization, the embryo has formed its outer layer that will become part of the placenta. At this point the synctiotrophoblast cells begin to secrete measurable levels of hCG.

Considerations

If your urine contains hCG, you are pregnant. However, the presence of hCG does not tell you about the health of the embryo.

Source:

"Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies"; Steven Gabbe, Jennifer Niebyl and Joe Leigh Simpson; 2007

"Primary Care for Women" Phyllis C. Leppert and Jeffrey F. Peipert, 2004

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What produces hCG in a pregnant female?

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