Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is a glycoprotein hormone involved in fertility research and hormone regulation studies. Composed of an alpha subunit (shared with other pituitary hormones) and a beta subunit (unique to HCG), it has a molecular weight of approximately 36,700 Da. HCG is commonly derived from pregnant women’s urine or produced through recombinant DNA technology. In research, it is available as a lyophilized powder that must be reconstituted with sterile or bacteriostatic water. Its purity is typically >95%, confirmed by HPLC or MS.

For storage, HCG should be kept in a cool, dry place and stored at -20°C to -80°C for long-term storage, with reconstituted solutions stored in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C. It is mainly used in fertility treatments, hormonal research, and pregnancy studies, and sometimes in cancer research. HCG is for laboratory use only and not FDA-approved for clinical applications. Proper handling using sterile techniques and following safety protocols is essential.