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human chorionic gonadotropin
noun
: a glycoprotein hormone similar in structure to luteinizing hormone that is secreted by the placenta during early pregnancy to maintain corpus luteum function and is commonly tested for as an indicator of pregnancy
Examples of human chorionic gonadotropin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These may include high levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or alpha-fetoprotein in the blood, or severe morning sickness.
—Pamela Prindle Fierro, Parents, 22 July 2024
Pregnancy tests measure a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) which is secreted by the placenta starting in early pregnancy.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 18 Nov. 2023
First, the pregnancy hormones progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) cause an increase in blood volume throughout the body.
—Kimberly A. Daly, Parents, 21 Aug. 2023
The only way to know for sure was to test my level of human chorionic gonadotropin, better known as hCG, a hormone that doubles every 72 hours in early pregnancy.
—Megan Turchi, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Jan. 2023
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Word History
First Known Use
1939, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of human chorionic gonadotropin was
in 1939
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Cite this Entry
“Human chorionic gonadotropin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human%20chorionic%20gonadotropin. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Medical Definition
human chorionic gonadotropin
noun
: a glycoprotein hormone similar in structure to luteinizing hormone that is secreted by the placenta during early pregnancy to maintain corpus luteum function and stimulate placental progesterone production, is found in the urine and blood serum of pregnant women, is commonly tested for as an indicator of pregnancy, is used medically to induce ovulation and to treat male hypogonadism and cryptorchidism, and is produced in certain cancers (as of the testes)
—abbreviation HCG
More from Merriam-Webster on human chorionic gonadotropin
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about human chorionic gonadotropin
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