Physiological range of human chorionic gonadotropin for support of early human pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the physiological range of hCG in early pregnancy.


METHODS
Retrospective study of patient charts.


METHODS
Magee-Women's Hospital IVF clinic, Monroeville, Pennsylvania.


METHODS
Sixty patients with successful, singleton birth outcomes.


METHODS
Serum hCG measurements on days 12-16 post-oocyte retrieval (OR).


METHODS
Lowest values, highest values, mean values, quartile mean values, and 48-hour doubling times for days 12-16 post-OR.


RESULTS
The average production of hCG in successful pregnancies is roughly 4-fold greater than the lowest amount observed in successful pregnancies, suggesting that a considerable excess of hCG is normally produced. Additionally, the average doubling time is almost 2-fold greater than the slowest doubling rate.


CONCLUSIONS
The data from this study provide a set of values for the minimum and maximum threshold of hCG for days 12-16 post-OR that may be physiologically required, although not entirely predictive, for a successful IVF pregnancy outcome.
Richard
C A
CA
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Women's Research Institute, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. rsicar@mail.magee.edu
Kubik
C J
CJ
DeLoia
J A
JA
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin