HCG
A glycoprotein hormone functioning as a high-affinity LH/CG receptor agonist, HCG is one of the most established tools in reproductive-endocrinology research. Each Vitalyx Bio vial contains 10,000IU of HCG as a lyophilized powder, supplied strictly for in-vitro and laboratory research.
HCG is a two-subunit glycoprotein — an alpha subunit shared with LH, FSH, and TSH, and a hormone-specific beta subunit that governs receptor selectivity. This structural profile makes it a key reference compound for researchers studying G-protein-coupled receptor signaling and steroidogenic pathways.
Mechanism of Action
- LH/CG Receptor Binding: HCG binds with high affinity to the LH/chorionic gonadotropin receptor (LHCGR), a G-protein-coupled receptor expressed primarily in gonadal tissue.
- cAMP/PKA Signaling: Receptor engagement activates the Gs/adenylate cyclase pathway, elevating intracellular cAMP and driving protein kinase A (PKA) activation.
- Steroidogenic Enzyme Upregulation: Downstream signaling upregulates the steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein along with CYP11A1 and CYP17A1 enzyme activity, the basis for its use in steroidogenesis models.
Research Applications
- Reproductive Endocrinology: Used to bypass hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis signaling and directly observe downstream gonadal cell responses.
- Biased Agonism Studies: Investigated alongside LH in comparative research on differential receptor signaling and biased agonism at the LH/CG receptor.
- In-Vitro Steroidogenesis Models: Used as a reference agonist in cell-culture assays examining cAMP accumulation and steroid hormone output.
Storage & Reconstitution
Keep the sealed, lyophilized vial cool, dry, and out of light, where it remains stable long-term before reconstitution. Reconstitute using sterile bacteriostatic water, directing the stream gently down the inside wall of the vial rather than onto the powder, and swirl — do not shake — until fully dissolved. Once reconstituted, store refrigerated at 2–8 °C, avoid freeze–thaw cycles, and follow your laboratory’s handling protocols.
This compound is strictly for in-vitro laboratory research use only and is not for human consumption, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes.
References
- Human Luteinizing Hormone and Chorionic Gonadotropin Display Biased Agonism at the LH and LH/CG Receptors. Scientific Reports, 2017. PMC5430435
- Identification of Key Receptor Residues Discriminating Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)- and Luteinizing Hormone (LH)-Specific Signaling. PMC, 2020. PMC7794846
