Dynamic changes in hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotrophin throughout the first trimester of pregnancy and its role in early placentation

Abstract

STUDY QUESTION: What is the in situ localization and function of hyperglycosylated hCG (hCG-H) in first trimester pregnancy tissues? SUMMARY ANSWER: HCG-H localizes to the syncytiotrophoblast, cytotrophoblast and invasive extravillous trophoblast within the maternal decidua and promotes invasion during the first trimester of pregnancy. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Serum levels of hCG-H decline dramatically throughout the first trimester of pregnancy. As hCG-H is produced by choriocarcinoma cells, it is proposed to regulate trophoblast invasion. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Tissues were collected from elective first trimester pregnancy terminations. Placental villous and decidua basalis were colle..