Sigma-Aldrich Chorionic gonadotropin human. lyophilized powder, suitable for mouse embryo cell culture. 50 I.U.

Glycoprotein hormone consisting of a 92-amino acid α-chain which is identical to that of LH, FSH, and TSH; and a distinct 149-amino acid β-chain. Produced by chorionic tissue and responsible for maintaining the corpus luteum during early pregnancy. Also produced by trophoblast cell neoplasms, which are marked by elevated free hCG β-chains and hyperglycosylated hCG.

Note: Actual molecular weight will vary from the theoretical depending upon the degree of glycosylation. Theoretical MW is 37.9 kDa based on native form which contains 2 subunits: α = 14.9 kDa (~10.2 kDa for the polypeptide and ~4.7 kDa for the carbohydrate), and β = 23.0 kDa (~16.0 kDa for the polypeptide and ~7.0 kDa for the carbohydrate). See J. Biol. Chem. 248, 6796-6827 (1973).

Recommended for superovulation induction in mice.

Human chorionic gondadotropin (hCG) may be used as an alternative to PMSG to induce ovulation in laboratory animals.[1] When hCG was injected into laboratory animals via intravenous (i.v.), intraperitoneal (i.p.), or subcutaneous (s.c.) methodstet, the effective dose values for 50% of the animals (ED50) per animal and per body weight (kg) in parenthesis were as follows:
Mice: i.v. 0.2 (7.7) I.U.; i.p. 0.3 (11.5) I.U.; s.c. 0.7 (26.9) I.U.
Syrian hamsters: i.v. 1.0 (9.5) I.U.; i.p. 1.8 (17.1) I.U.; s.c. 2.6 (24.8) I.U.
Rats: i.v. 1.3 (4.6) I.U.; i.p. 3.5 (12.3) I.U.; s.c.7.5 (26.3) I.U.

Using PMSG, the ED50 values per animal and per body weight (kg) in parenthesis were as follows:
Mice: i.v. 0.8 (30.8) I.U.; i.p. 2.0 (76.9) I.U.; s.c. 2.8 (107.7) I.U
Syrian hamsters: i.v., 3.6 (34.3) I.U.; i. p., 8.0 (76.2) I.U.; s.c., 13.2 (125.7) I.U.
Rats: i.v., 6.0 (76.8) I.U.; i p., 20.8 (73.0) I.U.; s.c., 76.8 (269.5) I.U.