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Updated: Mar 2, 2026

Isolation of Primary Human Decidual Cells from the Fetal Membranes of Term Placentae
Published on: April 30, 2018
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin: The Pregnancy Hormone and More
Charalampos Theofanakis1, Petros Drakakis2, Alexandros Besharat3
1IVF Unit, 1st Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Alexandra Hospital, 11528 Athens, Greece. charalampostheofanakis@yahoo.com.
Abstract:
To thoroughly review the uses of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) related to the process of reproduction and also assess new, non-traditional theories. Review of the international literature and research studies. hCG and its receptor, LH/CGR, are expressed in numerous sites of the reproductive tract, both in gonadal and extra-goanadal tissues, promoting oocyte maturation, fertilization, implantation and early embryo development. Moreover, hCG seems to have a potential role as an anti-rejection agent in solid organ transplantation. Future research needs to focus extensively on the functions of hCG and its receptor LH/CGR, in an effort to reveal known, as well as unknown clinical potentials.
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