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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) during early pregnancy?
What is the primary function of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) during early pregnancy?
- To elevate progesterone levels and maintain the corpus luteum (correct)
- To enhance the immune response to protect the fetus
- To facilitate fetal development by increasing blood flow
- To stimulate the production of more hCG by the placenta
How does hCG assist in protecting the fetus during the first trimester?
How does hCG assist in protecting the fetus during the first trimester?
- By promoting the development of the placenta
- By inducing maternal immune tolerance through its negative charge (correct)
- By increasing maternal estrogen levels
- By stimulating fetal cell growth directly
What happens to the concentration of hCG as pregnancy progresses, particularly from weeks 3 to 8?
What happens to the concentration of hCG as pregnancy progresses, particularly from weeks 3 to 8?
- It fluctuates with no identifiable pattern
- It shows an increase, peaking at week 7-8 (correct)
- It remains constant without significant variation
- It steadily decreases throughout the entire period
What effect does progesterone have during early pregnancy?
What effect does progesterone have during early pregnancy?
At what week from the last menstrual period does hCG begin to reach levels above 5 mIU/ml?
At what week from the last menstrual period does hCG begin to reach levels above 5 mIU/ml?
What is the primary role of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) during pregnancy?
What is the primary role of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) during pregnancy?
Where is human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) produced after conception?
Where is human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) produced after conception?
Which component is responsible for producing human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)?
Which component is responsible for producing human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)?
What time period does human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) begin to be produced during pregnancy?
What time period does human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) begin to be produced during pregnancy?
Which of the following is NOT a function of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in pregnancy?
Which of the following is NOT a function of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in pregnancy?
What is a primary use of quantitating the βhCG level?
What is a primary use of quantitating the βhCG level?
Which of the following situations does NOT involve the monitoring of βhCG levels?
Which of the following situations does NOT involve the monitoring of βhCG levels?
When is monitoring of βhCG levels particularly significant?
When is monitoring of βhCG levels particularly significant?
What role does βhCG play in the context of ectopic pregnancy?
What role does βhCG play in the context of ectopic pregnancy?
In what situation would the quantitation of βhCG levels be particularly useful?
In what situation would the quantitation of βhCG levels be particularly useful?
Study Notes
β-Subunit of hCG Gonadotropin
- Contains 145 amino acids.
Concentration of Beta hCG Throughout Normal Pregnancy
- Week 3: 5 - 50 mIU/ml
- Week 4: 3 - 426 mIU/ml
- Week 5: 19 - 7,340 mIU/ml
- Week 6: 1,080 - 56,500 mIU/ml
- Weeks 7-8: 7,650 - 229,000 mIU/ml
- Weeks 9-12: 25,700 - 288,000 mIU/ml
- Weeks 13-16: 13,300 - 254,000 mIU/ml
- Weeks 17-24: 4,060 - 165,400 mIU/ml
- Weeks 25-40: 3,640 - 117,000 mIU/ml
Function of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
- Interacts with L/HCG receptor to maintain corpus luteum.
- Stimulates secretion of progesterone, which prepares the uterus with a thick lining of blood vessels and capillaries to support pregnancy.
Immune Protection
- Highly negative charge of hCG may repel maternal immune cells, providing protection to the fetus during the first trimester.
Role in Infertility and Diagnosis
- hCG is produced during pregnancy by the developing placenta.
- Measurement of βhCG is useful for:
- Monitoring germ cells and trophoblastic tumors.
- Follow-up care after a miscarriage.
- Diagnosis and management of ectopic pregnancy.
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Description
This quiz explores the concentration of beta hCG throughout various stages of normal pregnancy, detailing the expected levels from the last menstrual period through different weeks. Test your knowledge on the significance of hCG in pregnancy and its clinical relevance.
