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Pregnancy serum contains the beta-core fragment of human choriogonadotropin

H Alfthan1, U H Stenman

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|March 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

We developed a sensitive assay to measure the core fragment of human chorionic gonadotropin (c beta hCG) in serum. This finding confirms c beta hCG is present during pregnancy, not solely formed in the kidneys.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Immunology
  • Reproductive Biology

Background:

  • Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) plays a vital role in pregnancy.
  • The core fragment of the beta-subunit of hCG (c beta hCG) is a marker of hCG degradation.
  • Understanding c beta hCG formation is crucial for reproductive health research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and validate a sensitive time-resolved immunofluorometric assay (IFMA) for quantifying c beta hCG.
  • To investigate the presence and origin of c beta hCG in serum during pregnancy.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a two-monoclonal antibody-based IFMA utilizing a europium chelate label.
  • Separation of hCG, beta hCG, and c beta hCG using gel chromatography.
  • Quantification of separated components via specific IFMAs.

Main Results:

  • The developed IFMA demonstrated high sensitivity (0.44 pmol/L).
  • Cross-reactivity with free beta hCG necessitated chromatographic separation for accurate c beta hCG measurement in serum.
  • c beta hCG was detected in serum from pregnant women, eluting identically to purified c beta hCG.

Conclusions:

  • The presence of c beta hCG in pregnancy serum is confirmed.
  • Proteolytic degradation in the kidneys may not be the sole source of c beta hCG.
  • The developed IFMA provides a sensitive tool for studying c beta hCG in reproductive contexts.

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