Leydig Cell & Steroidogenesis
hCG is a standard stimulus for studying testosterone synthesis and the steroidogenic enzyme cascade in Leydig cell cultures.
Hormone Research 2001≥99% Purity
HCG
Supports the body's natural testosterone and reproductive hormones
$95.00$47.50/vial with BOGO
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About this compound
HCG is a glycoprotein hormone widely researched for supporting the body's natural testosterone and reproductive-hormone production.
Heterodimeric α/β glycoprotein hormone
- Formula
- C1105H1770N318O336S26 (intact heterodimer, approximate)
- Molecular weight
- 36700 g/mol
- Form
- Lyophilized powder
- CAS / ID
- 9002-61-3
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Published Studies
Endocrinology & reproduction research
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Amino Acids
α + β glycoprotein subunits
FDA
Approved Hormone
Established clinical pharmacology
0
Research Areas
Leydig Cell & Steroidogenesis · LHCGR Signaling & Biased Agonism · ER Stress & Steroidogenic Regulation & more
How It Works
How HCG works
The pathways HCG acts on — and what each one does. The animation traces its signal outward from the compound to every target it engages.
Signalling pathways studied in preclinical models · illustrative
LH/hCG Receptor Activation
LHCGR Agonism
Human chorionic gonadotropin is a heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone that binds the shared LH/hCG receptor (LHCGR) with high affinity. Research shows hCG is roughly ten-fold more potent than luteinizing hormone at recruiting intracellular cAMP, making it a widely used tool for studying LHCGR pharmacology.
- High-affinity binding at the LHCGR plasma-membrane receptor
- ~10× more potent than LH in cAMP recruitment
- Studied as a model ligand for glycoprotein-hormone receptor signaling
Leydig Cell Testosterone Synthesis
Steroidogenesis
In Leydig cell models, LHCGR activation raises cAMP, promoting StAR-mediated transfer of cholesterol into mitochondria. Cholesterol is then converted through the steroidogenic enzyme cascade (P450scc, 3β-HSD, CYP17, 17β-HSD) to testosterone.
- cAMP-driven StAR protein activation and cholesterol transport
- Engages the full P450scc → 17β-HSD steroidogenic pathway
- Used to study testosterone synthesis in primary Leydig cell cultures
Gonadal & Pregnancy Biology
Reproductive Signaling
Physiologically, hCG maintains the corpus luteum in early pregnancy and shares its receptor with LH. Research also examines downstream signaling differences between LH and hCG, including biased agonism and ER-stress responses in steroidogenic cells.
- Model compound for corpus luteum and early-pregnancy signaling
- Studied for biased agonism at the LH/CG receptor
- Used to investigate ER stress and steroidogenic enzyme regulation
Uses & Applications
What HCG is researched for
The main areas HCG is being studied for — and the study-reported figures behind them.
LHCGR Signaling & Biased Agonism
Comparative studies of LH and hCG reveal distinct early-signaling profiles at the shared LH/CG receptor despite similar testosterone output.
Riccetti et al. 2016ER Stress & Steroidogenic Regulation
Research examines how sustained hCG exposure can trigger endoplasmic-reticulum stress and modulate steroidogenic enzyme expression in testicular Leydig cells.
Park et al. 2014Glycoprotein Hormone Pharmacology
hCG serves as a reference ligand for studying biased agonism and receptor signaling at the LH and LH/CG receptors.
Scientific Reports 2017Molecular Structure
The HCG molecule
An interactive 3D model rendered from the compound record — rotate and explore its structure.
C1105H1770N318O336S26 (intact heterodimer, approximate)
Third-Party Verified
Independently tested. Verifiably pure.
Every batch of HCG is sent to an accredited independent laboratory before it ships. Here is what we screen for.
- HPLC Purity AnalysisConfirms the peptide is ≥99% pure
- Mass SpectrometryVerifies the exact molecular identity
- Heavy Metals ScreeningLead, arsenic, cadmium & mercury — Pass
- Endotoxins (LAL)Bacterial endotoxin levels — Pass
- Sterility TestingNo microbial contamination — Pass
- Net Peptide ContentActual peptide mass per vial verified
Certificate of Analysis · Freedom DiagnosticPASS
- HPLC Purity
- ≥99%
- Identity
- Mass-spec confirmed
- Endotoxin (LAL)
- Pass
- Net content
- Verified
Compound Information
Full specification
| Chemical Name | Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) |
| Structure | Heterodimeric glycoprotein (α + β subunits) |
| Amino Acids | 237 total (α-subunit 92, β-subunit 145) |
| Molecular Weight | ~36,700 Da |
| Potency | 10,000 IU per vial |
| Form | Lyophilized powder |
| Purity | ≥99% (HPLC verified) |
| Testing | Third-party HPLC, Mass Spec, Endotoxin |
| Storage (Lyophilized) | -20°C for long-term stability |
| Storage (Reconstituted) | 2–8°C, use promptly |
| Solubility | Bacteriostatic water for reconstitution |
| COA | Included with every order |
FAQ
Common questions about HCG
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone made of an alpha subunit (shared with LH, FSH and TSH) and a beta subunit unique to hCG. It acts on the LH/hCG receptor (LHCGR) and is widely used in endocrinology research as a stimulus for steroidogenesis and a model ligand for glycoprotein-hormone receptor signaling.
hCG binds the LHCGR on Leydig cells, raising intracellular cAMP. cAMP promotes StAR-mediated transport of cholesterol into the mitochondria, where the steroidogenic enzyme cascade (P450scc, 3β-HSD, CYP17, 17β-HSD) converts it to testosterone. This makes hCG a standard tool for studying testosterone synthesis in vitro.
hCG and LH act on the same receptor (LHCGR), but research shows they are not identical. hCG is roughly ten-fold more potent in cAMP recruitment and produces a distinct early-signaling profile, even though both ultimately drive similar testosterone synthesis in Leydig cell models. This phenomenon is studied as biased agonism.
hCG is an FDA-approved hormone in clinical pharmaceutical formulations. However, the research-grade hCG sold here is supplied strictly for in vitro laboratory research and is not the approved pharmaceutical product. It is not intended for human or veterinary therapeutic use.
Research-grade hCG is used to study Leydig cell steroidogenesis, LHCGR receptor pharmacology and biased agonism, corpus luteum and reproductive biology, and endoplasmic-reticulum stress responses in steroidogenic cells.
Lyophilized hCG should be stored at -20°C, protected from light and moisture. Once reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, it should be kept refrigerated at 2–8°C and used promptly to preserve activity, as glycoprotein hormones lose potency over time in solution.
Published Literature
Cited Sources
Peer-reviewed literature
Independent published research indexed from PubMed and peer-reviewed journals — not Eon Peptides claims.
[1]
PUBMED
[2]Effect of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Derivatives on Leydig Cell Function
View source PMC
[3]Human LH and hCG Stimulate Differently the Early Signalling Pathways but Result in Equal Testosterone Synthesis in Mouse Leydig Cells in Vitro
View source PMC
[4]hCG-Induced Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Triggers Apoptosis and Reduces Steroidogenic Enzyme Expression in Leydig Cells
View source JOURNAL
Human Luteinizing Hormone and Chorionic Gonadotropin Display Biased Agonism at the LH and LH/CG Receptors
View source For Research Use Only.
Not for human or veterinary use. For in-vitro laboratory research only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA; this product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Sold exclusively to qualified researchers and institutions.