Chorionic gonadotropin

What is chorionic gonadotrophin?

Chorionic gonadotrophin is a glycoprotein hormone which is produced during pregnancy by the embryo shortly after conception and later in large amounts, by the placenta. In fact, early pregnancy tests are based on the presence of chorionic gonadotrophin. The function of chorionic gonadotrophin during pregnancy is to maintain the corpus luteum (an endocrine structure found in the ovaries, vital for the maintenance of a pregnancy) and causing it to secrete progesterone – this causes the uterus to develop a thick layer of capillaries to help sustain the fetus).

Due to its involvement in pregnancy, chorionic gonadotrophin is only prohibited in males. Chorionic gonadotrophin is also produced by certain types of tumor.

Medical uses of chorionic gonadotrophin

The uses of chorionic gonadotrophin in medicine are limited:

• stimulation of ovulation in females (often used in in-vitro fertilization);

• induce puberty in adolescent males;

• hypogonadism (defect of the reproductive system resulting in a lack of function of the gonads or ovaries).

Effects on performance

Chorionic gonadotrophin is mainly used by male athletes as it increases the production of both testosterone and epitestosterone and so keeping the testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio unchanged from normal values (vital in avoiding detection of the presence of other prohibited substances). It is also used to maintain testicular volume in males who are using anabolic steroids. However, it is now thought that it is the hormone FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) which is responsible for maintaining testicular volume and so chorionic gonadotrophin use would be entirely ineffective. Chorionic gonadotrophin use in females would have no beneficial effect at all.

Side-effects of chorionic gonadotrophin

Side-effects of chorionic gonadotrophin are rare and non-serious:

• gynecomastia (the development of abnormally large mammary glands in males due to increased levels of the hormone estrogen).

Combination of chorionic gonadotrophin and anabolic steroids can cause:

• headaches;

• depression;

• oedema (swelling caused by fluid within the body’s tissues).

Erythropoietin

Corticotrophin

Human growth hormone

Insulin-like growth factor

S0. Non-approved substances