Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) primarily plays a crucial role in maintaining pregnancy.
hCG's Role in Pregnancy
hCG, mainly produced by the syncytiotrophoblastic cells of the placenta during pregnancy, is vital for sustaining the early stages of gestation. According to the reference, the critical function of hCG is to stimulate the corpus luteum to produce progesterone to maintain the pregnancy.
Additional Sources of hCG
While the placenta is the primary source, smaller amounts of hCG are also produced in other parts of the body, including:
- Pituitary gland
- Liver
- Colon
