ß-HCG encourages the "yellow body" (corpus luteum) to produce progesterone and estrogen during the early stages of the pregnancy.  This situation remains the same for the first trimester of pregnancy, the placenta will eventually replace the function of the "yellow body" by producing its own progesterone, thus the levels of ß-HCG will drop back quickly in the second trimester to between 10% and 30% of the peak levels.

ß-hCG in the human body:  

• Apart from the process described above, the hormone ß-hCG will also stimulate the fetal gonads to develop.  

• It also stimulates the production of testosterone in the fetal testes.

• Can be found in increased levels in men with testicular cancer.

Introduction

1. The Role of b-hCG

2. Important Markers

3. The Numbers

4. Charts and Tables