title: Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics after subcutaneous and intramuscular injection of human chorionic gonadotropin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The pharmacokinetics and efficiency of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) after subcutaneous (SC) injection was to clarify in comparison with the intramuscular (IM) mode of administration.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study, the pharmacokinetics of hCG and the response of serum testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) after an IM and SC injection of 5,000 IU hCG were evaluated up to 144 hours in two randomized groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out in a clinical dermatology department providing tertiary care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four healthy male volunteers with a mean age of 22.7 +/- 4.3 years were divided into two groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human chorionic gonadotropin (5,000 IU) was injected IM or SC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum concentration of /b-hCG, T, LH, and FSH were evaluated after IM and SC administration of hCG. Differences between the two groups were determined by t-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with IM administration of hCG, peak serum drug concentration was significantly delayed (P = 0.01) and serum half-life was prolonged (P = 0.01) after SC injection; however, T, LH, and FSH responses were identical.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subcutaneous application of 5,000 IU hCG is as effective as IM administration in terms of steroidogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Bundeswehrzentralkrankenhaus, Koblenz, Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Saal
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Glowania
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hengst
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Happ
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone