HCG 5000 IU

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone studied for its agonist activity at the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR). AminoOptimization Group supplies it as a lyophilised research powder in a 5,000 IU vial, tested to 99% purity by HPLC, with a Certificate of Analysis available for the lot supplied. This material is offered strictly for laboratory research use. It is not a drug, and it is not for human or veterinary use.

What is HCG 5000 IU?

Human chorionic gonadotropin is a heterodimeric glycoprotein composed of two non-covalently associated subunits. The alpha subunit is structurally identical to the alpha subunit shared by luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and thyroid-stimulating hormone; the beta subunit is unique to hCG and confers its receptor specificity, which is why it serves as the target antigen in most immunoassays that detect the hormone. Physiologically, it is produced by syncytiotrophoblast cells of the placenta.

hCG and LH act on the same receptor, LHCGR, and published structure-activity work attributes much of the pharmacological distinction between the two hormones to a carboxy-terminal peptide extension present on the hCG beta subunit but absent from LH. This extension is described in the literature as slowing clearance and altering receptor-binding kinetics relative to LH, which is one reason the two ligands are studied side by side in receptor pharmacology work despite converging on a single receptor.

Unlike a small synthetic peptide, hCG does not carry a single defined molecular formula or molecular weight. Its two subunits are each glycosylated, and the extent of glycosylation varies with source and production method, so mass estimates reported in the literature span a range rather than converging on one figure. For this reason, potency is expressed in International Units against a reference standard rather than by mass, which is also why this material is supplied and labelled by IU rather than by weight.

Specifications

• Compound: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
• CAS number: 9002-61-3
• Molecular formula: N/A
• Molecular weight: N/A
• Purity: 99% HPLC
• Presentation: Lyophilised powder, sealed vial
• Available sizes: 5,000 IU
• Physical form: White to off-white powder
• Classification: Research hormone — not for human or veterinary use

Research context

Published research on hCG centres on its use as a probe of LHCGR signalling. Studies in Leydig cell lines and primary Leydig cell preparations examine how receptor agonism activates adenylate cyclase, raises intracellular cAMP, and drives expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) — a rate-limiting step that published work links to downstream steroidogenic pathway activity in these model systems.

A parallel body of literature uses hCG in granulosa cell and corpus luteum models to characterise luteinization and progesterone synthesis, again working through the same shared receptor. Because hCG and LH converge on LHCGR but differ in clearance and receptor-binding kinetics, researchers use both ligands in comparative dose-response and receptor-desensitisation study designs. Separately, hCG is examined in developmental and tumour biology as a marker produced by trophoblastic and certain germ cell tissue, and it is used as a calibration standard in immunoassay and bioassay development.

None of this literature establishes safety or efficacy for use in humans. It is provided as research context only.

Reconstitution

Lyophilised hCG requires reconstitution with a suitable sterile diluent before use in solution. Bacteriostatic water is the diluent most commonly specified for multi-use laboratory preparations; sterile water is typical for single-use work.

Direct the diluent stream against the inner wall of the vial rather than onto the powder itself, and allow the material to dissolve without agitation. Swirl gently if needed rather than shaking, and expect full dissolution within a few minutes at room temperature.

Working concentration is a function of how much diluent is added to a given vial. Our peptide reconstitution calculator computes the resulting concentration for any combination of vial size and diluent volume.

Storage and stability

Before reconstitution: store the sealed vial in a freezer at -20 °C, protected from light. Lyophilised hCG is comparatively stable in this state. Brief excursions to ambient temperature during shipping are normal and are not expected to compromise a properly lyophilised product.

After reconstitution: refrigerate at 2–8 °C and protect from light. Reconstituted material in solution is materially less stable than the dry powder. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, which are a well-documented cause of aggregation and loss of measurable activity — aliquot instead if repeated sampling is required.

Inspect solutions before use. Cloudiness, visible particulate, or discolouration indicate the material should not be relied upon for quantitative work.

Certificate of Analysis

Every lot is tested by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the purity figure shown above refers to analytical results for the specific lot supplied — not to a generic specification. A Certificate of Analysis is available on request, and we will provide lot-specific documentation before purchase if your protocol requires it.

Purity by HPLC describes the material as manufactured and tested. It is expressly not a representation that the material is suitable for any use in humans or animals.

Handling and safety

Handle in accordance with good laboratory practice. Use appropriate personal protective equipment, work in a suitable containment environment, and dispose of material and consumables according to your institution’s requirements and applicable local regulation. Anyone with access to this material should understand that it is not for human or veterinary use.

Frequently asked questions

Is HCG approved in Canada?

No. This product has not been evaluated or authorised by Health Canada, the FDA, or any comparable regulatory authority. It carries no DIN or NPN. Human chorionic gonadotropin as a substance appears in certain approved prescription products used for other indications, but this research material is a separate product from those: it is not manufactured, tested, or labelled as a pharmaceutical, has not undergone drug review, and must not be treated as equivalent to or a substitute for any approved drug. It is supplied strictly for laboratory research.

What is the difference between hCG and LH?

Both act on the same receptor, LHCGR, but their beta subunits differ. The hCG beta subunit carries a carboxy-terminal extension not present on LH, which the literature associates with slower clearance and distinct receptor-binding kinetics. This is why the two ligands are studied together in comparative receptor pharmacology work rather than treated as interchangeable.

Why does this listing show no molecular weight?

hCG is a glycoprotein, and the degree of glycosylation on each subunit varies with source and production method. That variability means it is not assigned one fixed molecular formula or weight the way a small synthetic peptide is. Activity is instead expressed in International Units against a reference standard, which is also how this material is labelled and supplied.

How much diluent should be used?

That depends on the working concentration your protocol requires. Use the reconstitution calculator to work out the resulting concentration for your vial size.

Do you provide a Certificate of Analysis?

Yes — lot-specific, available on request, including before purchase.

Research use only

This product is supplied solely for laboratory and scientific research. It is not a drug, food, cosmetic, or medical device, and it must not be administered to humans or animals. Nothing on this page is medical advice or a therapeutic claim. Full terms are set out in our Research Use Only Disclaimer.