Immuno-assay of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Normal and Pathologic Pregnancy

Abstract

In this study, results on quantitative serologic determination of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in serum by complement fixation are presented. The first part of the investigation is devoted to the elucidation of the HCG levels throughout normal pregnancy. The second part of the study deals with the immuno-assay of HCG in threatened abortion and ectopic pregnancy. The results of these assays have been analyzed on the basis of the findings in normal pregnancy with the view of evaluating their diagnostic and prognostic values. Subnormal HCG levels indicate that the pregnancy is not viable, irrespective of the localization of the ovum. Normal HCG concentrations usually signal a good prognosis. In a few cases, abortion occurring rather late in pregnancy was associated with normal HCG levels.