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			Concern Treatment Pregnancy Experiences Treatment The Doctor's Visit Personalised Treatment Female Treatments First Step Second Step Follicle-stimulating Hormone Human Menopausal Gonadotropin Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Luteinising Hormone Third Step Male Treatments Implications of Treatment Enhance Your Well-being Questions to Ask Your Doctor Treatment FAQ Devices for Administration of Medication		Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) The Primary function of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the body is to maintain the corpus luteum (hormone secreting body formed at the site of ovulation), which secretes two hormones necessary to support the first trimester of pregnancy: oestrogen and progesterone.  Human chorionic gonadotropin hormones are used in clinical practice for optimal treatment cycle completion in the following categories of patients: In women undergoing ovulation induction (OI)  For anovulatory infertility (lack of ovulation) due to hormonal causes, allowing where possible mono-ovulation to occur.  Women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques (ART)  For example, in the case of IVF, several eggs undergo maturation using controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) where a hormone preparation is injected to induce final maturation of eggs prior to their collection.
			© 2003-2008 Merck Serono S.A. Please read our Legal Statement. US residents should consult the Serono, Inc. fertility website at www.fertilitylifelines.com Last Updated: 5/6/2008