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The Immunobiology of Chorionic Gonadotrophin

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Immunological Aspects of Reproduction and Fertility Control

Abstract

The last 10 years have seen a revolution in our understanding of the structure and functions of chorionic gonadotrophin (CG). Until the early seventies it was thought to be a glycoprotein hormone restricted to pregnancy in primates. It was known to be secreted by the trophoblast and assumed to be a major component of the luteotrophic stimulus that supports the corpus luteum of primates until the luteoplacental shift is completed1–3. While this role in early pregnancy, backed by a great deal of circumstantial evidence, is still accepted, we are now fairly certain that the hormone is restricted neither to pregnancy nor to primates.

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Authors
  1. J. P. Hearn
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Wellcome Laboratories of Comparative Physiology, The Zoological Society of London, NW1 4RY, London, UK

    J. P. Hearn (Director) (Director)

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Hearn, J.P. (1980). The Immunobiology of Chorionic Gonadotrophin. In: Hearn, J.P. (eds) Immunological Aspects of Reproduction and Fertility Control. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-8039-9_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-8039-9_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-011-8041-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-8039-9

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