Reproductive-axis (HPG) peptides

hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)

Also known as human chorionic gonadotropin · chorionic gonadotropin

A placental glycoprotein hormone that mimics luteinising hormone (LH), stimulating testicular testosterone production — a prescription fertility medicine.

Research referenceNot stocked4 PubMed citations

In 60 seconds

Registered prescription medicine (fertility). Clinical series report it as generally well tolerated; oestradiol rises and gynaecomastia are described in the androgen literature.

  • Reported that hCG alongside testosterone therapy preserved spermatogenesis in men.
  • Reviews hCG in secondary hypogonadism and male infertility.
  • A retrospective cohort of 77 men studied hCG plus FSH to restore spermatogenesis after testosterone use.

Mechanism

hCG binds the LH/hCG receptor on Leydig cells, stimulating testosterone and supporting spermatogenesis. Clinically it is used in secondary hypogonadism and to preserve or restore spermatogenesis around testosterone therapy.

Research status

Registered prescription medicine (fertility). Androgen-related use is regulated; in sport it is prohibited for men.

Key studies

  1. Reported that hCG alongside testosterone therapy preserved spermatogenesis in men.

    Concomitant intramuscular human chorionic gonadotropin preserves spermatogenesis in men undergoing testosterone replacement therapy — J Urol, 2013 · PMID 23260550

  2. Reviews hCG in secondary hypogonadism and male infertility.

    Human chorionic gonadotropin treatment: a viable option for management of secondary hypogonadism and male infertility — Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab, 2021 · PMID 33345656

  3. A retrospective cohort of 77 men studied hCG plus FSH to restore spermatogenesis after testosterone use.

    Optimal restoration of spermatogenesis after testosterone therapy using human chorionic gonadotropin and follicle-stimulating hormone — Fertil Steril, 2025 · PMID 39442683

  4. Assessed the safety of hCG monotherapy in men who had previously used testosterone.

    The Safety of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Monotherapy Among Men With Previous Exogenous Testosterone Use — Cureus, 2022 · PMID 35822152

Safety signals in the literature

Clinical series report it as generally well tolerated; oestradiol rises and gynaecomastia are described in the androgen literature.

Gonadotropins and GnRH analogues are scheduled prescription medicines in South Africa; research use only.

Now in the catalogue

hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is now in our catalogue as a research vial. Pre-orders are 10% off until the 15 October delivery lands.

View the product →Research overview →

Comparisons

hCG vs Kisspeptin-10hCG vs hMG

Questions

What is hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)?

A placental glycoprotein hormone that mimics luteinising hormone (LH), stimulating testicular testosterone production — a prescription fertility medicine. hCG binds the LH/hCG receptor on Leydig cells, stimulating testosterone and supporting spermatogenesis. Clinically it is used in secondary hypogonadism and to preserve or restore spermatogenesis around testosterone therapy.

What is the research status of hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)?

Registered prescription medicine (fertility). Androgen-related use is regulated; in sport it is prohibited for men.

What safety signals are reported for hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)?

Clinical series report it as generally well tolerated; oestradiol rises and gynaecomastia are described in the androgen literature.

Does Living Water Labs stock hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)?

Not at present. hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is profiled here for reference, with citations to the published literature. You can ask to be notified if we add it. Gonadotropins and GnRH analogues are scheduled prescription medicines in South Africa; research use only.

Deep dives

hCG and Spermatogenesis: What the Research MeasuredhCG mimics LH, the hormone that tells the testes to make testosterone. Here is what clinical studies measured when men were given it: intratesticular testosterone, sperm counts, motility and time to conception.hMG vs hCG: Gonadotropins ExplainedTwo gonadotropin preparations, two different jobs. hCG carries an LH-like signal; hMG carries FSH as well. Here is what that difference means and what the IVF meta-analyses found.How Fertility Clinics Use GonadotropinsA plain-language map of where gonadotropins sit in clinical fertility care: ovarian stimulation, the trigger shot, and restoring sperm production in men. Context, not instructions.The HPG Axis Explained: Testosterone, LH and FSHThe hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis is the feedback loop behind testosterone and fertility. Understanding it explains why hormone therapy, sperm production and blood tests behave the way they do.

Fertility & HPG-axis research hub →

More in Reproductive axis

Kisspeptin-10The shortest active fragment of kisspeptin, the hypothalamic peptide that triggers GnRH release and sits at the top of the reproductive axis.Leuprolide (Leuprorelin)A GnRH-agonist peptide that first stimulates, then shuts down, the reproductive axis — "medical castration" used in prostate cancer and other hormone-driven conditions.TriptorelinA GnRH-agonist decapeptide with a D-tryptophan at position 6, used to suppress sex hormones and in assisted reproduction.hMG (Human Menopausal Gonadotropin)A gonadotropin preparation purified from urine that carries both FSH and LH activity, used in assisted reproduction.

Research reference only. This page summarises published literature; it is not medical advice and contains no guidance on human use. Products supplied by Living Water Labs are for laboratory research only.

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