Human chorionic gonadotropin in the ectopic gestation

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Abstract
The ectopic pregnancy is a relatively common condition in the South African black patients. The .beta.-specific subunit radioimmunoassay for human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) was utilized. Levels of the hormone were significantly lower when compared to normal gestation of similar duration, .ltoreq. 2000 mIU/ml. The clearance rate of HCG following normal vaginal delivery was about 24 h and less variable than that of ectopic gestation. The half-life clearance rate of HCG in the ectopics could be divided into 3 phases, suggestive of HCG compartmentalization. The possible buffering effect of this hormone in the maintenance of the receptor-saturated pregnancy is discussed. The possibility that the HCG produced by the normal pregnancy is dissimilar to that of ectopic is speculated upon.