Abstract
Sera and fluid in molar vesicles from 4 patients with hydatidiform mole were analyzed for hCG and its subunits. These samples were initially chromatographed through a standardized Sephadex G-100 upward column.Starting materials and each fraction on gel filtration were radioimmunoassayed in homologous hCG, hCG-α and hCG-β assays.The specimens obtained from 4 patients contained primarily hCG and little hCG-β.Immunoreactive hCG-α was barely detectable in sera but was clearly demonstrated in vesicle fluid from molar patients.This immunoreactive hCG-α was combined with [125I] hCG-β.The combined protein, [125I] hCG and [125I] hCG-β recombined with urinary hCG-α were concentrated in the superovulated rat ovary in vivo.However, [125I] hCG-α and [125I] hCG-β were not taken up by the ovaries.The biosynthesis of hCG and the possible biological role of hCG-α are discussed.
