2024-06-20
Alternative names for human chorionic gonadotrophin
Photo showing a urine sample that has tested positive for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone is secreted by the placenta in pregnant women.Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is a hormone produced by the cells that surround the growing human embryo that go on to form the placenta (called trophoblasts). Human chorionic gonadotrophin can be detected in the urine from 7-9 days after fertilisation as the embryo attaches and implants in the womb; it forms the basis of most over-the-counter and hospital pregnancy tests (see photo).