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Early detection of pregnancy after IVF and embryo transfer with hyperglycosylated HCG versus Elecsys HCG+β assay. Reprod Biomed Online 2021; 44:349-356. [PMID: 34924288 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Is measurement of hyperglycosylated HCG (hHCG) superior to beta-HCG (HCG+β) for early pregnancy detection after IVF and embryo transfer? DESIGN Blood samples were collected on day 4 (+1), 7 (+1) and 11 (+2) after embryo transfer from women aged 18-45 years undergoing first or second fresh or frozen IVF embryo transfer cycles. Biochemical pregnancy was assessed on-site by HCG determination on day 11; clinical pregnancy was assessed by ultrasound on day 21 (+4/-3). Serum hHCG (immunochemiluminometric assay) and HCG+β (Elecsys® HCG+β assay) concentrations were measured. Performance of hHCG and HCG+β for predicting pregnancy was evaluated and cut-offs selected. RESULTS In total, 155 women were enrolled and underwent IVF and embryo transfer. Area under the curve (AUC) (95% CI) on day 4 was not significantly different for hHCG (AUC 0.88; 95% CI 0.83 to 0.94) and HCG+β (AUC 0.90; 95% CI 0.84 to 0.95), as was predictive performance on day 7 and 11, with higher AUC estimates compared with day 4. Applying cut-offs derived according to Youden's index on day 4 (hHCG, 100 pg/ml; HCG+β, 1.30 mIU/ml), both biomarkers demonstrated high negative predictive values for ruling out pregnancy (hHCG, 83.8%; HCG+β, 82.8%) and high positive predictive values for ruling in pregnancy (hHCG, 89.0%; HCG+β, 84.9%) on day 21. Diagnostic performance improved from day 4 to day 11. CONCLUSIONS Predictive performance for early pregnancy post-IVF embryo transfer of day-5 blastocysts was not significantly different for hHCG and HCG+β; hHCG superiority over HCG+β was not shown.
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Abstract
Gonadotropins are glycoprotein sex hormones regulating development and reproduction and bind to specific G protein–coupled receptors expressed in the gonads. Their effects on multiple signaling cascades and intracellular events have recently been characterized using novel technological and scientific tools. The impact of allosteric modulators on gonadotropin signaling, the role of sugars linked to the hormone backbone, the detection of endosomal compartments supporting signaling modules, and the dissection of different effects mediated by these molecules are areas that have advanced significantly in the last decade. The classic view providing the exclusive activation of the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) and the steroidogenic pathway by these hormones has been expanded with the addition of novel signaling cascades as determined by high-resolution imaging techniques. These new findings provided new potential therapeutic applications. Despite these improvements, unanswered issues of gonadotropin physiology, such as the intrinsic pro-apoptotic potential to these hormones, the existence of receptors assembled as heteromers, and their expression in extragonadal tissues, remain to be studied. Elucidating these issues is a challenge for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livio Casarini
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Center for Genomic Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Manuela Simoni
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Center for Genomic Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy
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Brady PC, Farland LV, Racowsky C, Ginsburg ES. Hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin as a predictor of ongoing pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2020; 222:68.e1-68.e12. [PMID: 31401260 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2019.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin, the predominant human chorionic gonadotropin variant secreted following implantation, is associated with trophoblast invasion. OBJECTIVE To determine whether the initial serum hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin differs between ongoing and failed pregnancies, and to compare it to total serum human chorionic gonadotropin as a predictor of ongoing pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Women undergoing fresh/frozen in vitro fertilization cycles at a university-based infertility clinic with an autologous day 5 single embryo transfer resulting in serum human chorionic gonadotropin >3 mIU/mL (n = 115) were included. Human chorionic gonadotropin was measured 11 days after embryo transfer in a single laboratory (coefficient of variation <6%). Surplus frozen serum (-80oC) was shipped to Quest Laboratories for measurement of hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin (coefficient of variation <9.1%). Linear regression analyses adjusted for oocyte age a priori were used to compare human chorionic gonadotropin and hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin in ongoing pregnancies (>8 weeks of gestation) and failed pregnancies (clinical pregnancy loss, biochemical and ectopic pregnancies). RESULTS A total of 85 pregnancies (73.9%) were ongoing. Hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin values were highly correlated (Pearson correlation coefficient 92.14, P < .0001), and mean values of both were positively correlated with blastocyst expansion score (P value test for trend < .0004). Mean human chorionic gonadotropin and hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin were significantly higher in ongoing vs failed pregnancies. Among ongoing pregnancies vs clinical losses, mean hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin, but not human chorionic gonadotropin, was significantly higher (19.0 vs 12.2 ng/mL, β -8.1, 95% confidence interval -13.0 to -3.2), and hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin comprised a higher proportion of total human chorionic gonadotropin (4.6% vs 4.1%; risk ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-0.94). CONCLUSION Measured 11 days after single blastocyst transfer, hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin values were highly correlated, but only mean hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin and its ratio to total human chorionic gonadotropin were significantly higher in ongoing pregnancies vs clinical pregnancy losses. Further evaluation of hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin, including in multiple embryo transfers and multiple pregnancy, and using serial measurements, is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula C Brady
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
| | - Leslie V Farland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Catherine Racowsky
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Elizabeth S Ginsburg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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Fournier T. Human chorionic gonadotropin: Different glycoforms and biological activity depending on its source of production. ANNALES D'ENDOCRINOLOGIE 2016; 77:75-81. [PMID: 27177499 DOI: 10.1016/j.ando.2016.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is the first hormonal message from the placenta to the mother. It is detectable in maternal blood two days after implantation and behaves like a super LH agonist stimulating progesterone secretion by the corpus luteum. In addition to maintaining the production of progesterone until the placenta itself produces it, hCG also has a role in myometrial quiescence and local immune tolerance. Specific to humans, hCG is a complex glycoprotein composed of two highly glycosylated subunits. The α-subunit is identical to the pituitary gonadotropin hormones (LH, FSH, TSH), contains two N-glycosylation sites, and is encoded by a single gene (CGA). By contrast, the β-subunits are distinct for each hormones and confer both receptor and biological specificity, although LH and hCG bind to the same receptor (LH/CG-R). The hCG ß-subunit is encoded by a cluster of genes (CGB) and contains two sites of N-glycosylation and four sites of O-glycosylation. The hCG glycosylation state varies with the stage of pregnancy, its source of production and in the pathology. It is well established that hCG is mainly secreted into maternal blood, where it peaks at 8-10weeks of gestation (WG), by the syncytiotrophoblast (ST), which represents the endocrine tissue of the human placenta. The invasive extravillous trophoblast (iEVT) also secretes hCG, and in particular hyperglycosylated forms of hCG (hCG-H) also produced by choriocarcinoma cells. In maternal blood, hCG-H is elevated during early first trimester corresponding to the trophoblastic cell invasion process and then decreases. In addition to its endocrine role, hCG has autocrine and paracrine roles. It promotes formation of the ST and angiogenesis through LH/CG-R but has no effect on trophoblast invasion in vitro. By contrast, hCG-H stimulates trophoblast invasion and angiogenesis by interacting with the TGFß receptor in a LH/CG-R independent signalling pathway. hCG is largely used in antenatal screening and hCG-H might represent a serum marker of implantation and early trophoblast invasion. In conclusion, hCG is the major pregnancy glycoprotein hormone, whose maternal concentration and glycan structure change all along pregnancy. Depending on its source of production, glycoforms of hCG display different biological activities and functions that are essential for pregnancy outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry Fournier
- Inserm, U1139, PremUp Foundation, université Paris Descartes, UMR-S1139, Sorbonne Paris Cité, DHU "Risk & pregnancy", 75006 Paris, France.
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Zheng Q, Deng Y, Zhong S, Shi Y. Human chorionic gonadotropin, fetal sex and risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: A nested case-control study. Pregnancy Hypertens 2016; 6:17-21. [PMID: 26955766 DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2016.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2015] [Revised: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess whether human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and fetal sex are two independent risk factors for hypertensive pregnancy in the early second-trimester of pregnancy. METHODS This was a retrospective nested case-control study based on a cohort of 2521 singleton pregnancies, among whom we recruited 98 hypertensive pregnancies (subdivided into severe preeclampsia, n=34; mild preeclampsia, n=29 and gestational hypertension, n=35) and 196 normotensive pregnancies. Maternal serum HCG levels were measured at 15-20 weeks of gestation and fetal sex was determined from the neonatal record. Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests were performed to assess differences of HCG levels and fetal sex between groups. Logistic regressions were performed to evaluate the effect of HCG and fetal sex on hypertensive pregnancy. RESULTS There were 35 male and 63 female fetuses in the hypertensive group, and 102 male and 94 female fetuses in the normotensive group (p=0.008). HCG (MoM) levels were significantly higher in only severe preeclamptic pregnancies (n=34) (p=0.013). There were no significant differences of the HCG (MoM) levels between male and female fetuses in each sub-group. aOR for increased maternal HCG levels and female fetus were 2.4 (95% CI: 1.434-3.954) and 2.9 (95% CI: 1.227-6.661) respectively in severe preeclamptic pregnancies compared with normotensive pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS There is a female preponderance in hypertensive pregnancies. Increased HCG levels and female fetus are two independent risk factors for severe preeclampsia in the early second-trimester of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qizhen Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518036, China; Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Yuqing Deng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518036, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gynaecology Diagnostic Technology Research, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Shilin Zhong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518036, China
| | - Yu Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518036, China
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Evans J. Hyperglycosylated hCG: a Unique Human Implantation and Invasion Factor. Am J Reprod Immunol 2015; 75:333-40. [DOI: 10.1111/aji.12459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jemma Evans
- The Hudson Institute of Medical Research; Clayton Vic. Australia
- Department of Physiology; Monash University; Clayton Vic. Australia
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Evans J, Salamonsen LA, Menkhorst E, Dimitriadis E. Dynamic changes in hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotrophin throughout the first trimester of pregnancy and its role in early placentation. Hum Reprod 2015; 30:1029-38. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dev016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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Fournier T, Guibourdenche J, Evain-Brion D. Review: hCGs: different sources of production, different glycoforms and functions. Placenta 2015; 36 Suppl 1:S60-5. [PMID: 25707740 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2015.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2014] [Revised: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is the first hormonal message from the placenta to the mother. It is detectable in maternal blood two days after implantation and behaves like an agonist of LH stimulating progesterone secretion by the corpus luteum. hCG has also a role in quiescence of the myometrium and local immune tolerance. Specific to humans, hCG is a complex glycoprotein composed of two glycosylated subunits. The α-subunit is identical to the pituitary gonadotropin hormones (LH, FSH, TSH), contains two N-glycosylation sites, and is encoded by a single gene (CGA). By contrast the β-subunits are distinct in each of the hormones and confer receptor and biological specificity. The hCG β-subunit contains two sites of N-glycosylation and four sites of O-glycosylation and is encoded by a cluster of genes (CGB). In this review, we will stress the importance of hCG glycosylation state, which varies with the stage of pregnancy, its source of production and in the pathology. It is well established that hCG is mainly secreted by the syncytiotrophoblast into maternal blood where it peaks around 8-10 weeks of gestation (WG). The invasive extravillous trophoblast also secretes hCG, and in particular like choriocarcinoma cells, hyperglycosylated forms of hCG (hCG-H). In maternal blood hCG-H is high during early first trimester. In addition to its endocrine role, hCG has autocrine and paracrine roles. It promotes formation of the syncytiotrophoblast and angiogenesis through LHCG receptor. In contrast, hCG-H stimulates trophoblast invasion and angiogenesis by interacting with the TGFβ receptor 2. hCG is largely used in antenatal screening and hCG-H represents a serum marker of early trophoblast invasion. Other abnormally glycosylated hCG are described in aneuploidies. In conclusion, hCG is the major pregnancy glycoprotein hormone, whose maternal concentration and glycan structure change all along pregnancy. Depending on its source of production, glycoforms of hCG display different biological activities and functions that are essential for pregnancy outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Fournier
- INSERM, U1139, Paris, F-75006, France; Université Paris Descartes, UMR-S1139, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, F-75006, France; PremUP Foundation, Paris, F-75006, France.
| | - J Guibourdenche
- INSERM, U1139, Paris, F-75006, France; Université Paris Descartes, UMR-S1139, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, F-75006, France; PremUP Foundation, Paris, F-75006, France; Biologie Hormonale, Cochin, Paris, F-75006, France
| | - D Evain-Brion
- INSERM, U1139, Paris, F-75006, France; Université Paris Descartes, UMR-S1139, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, F-75006, France; PremUP Foundation, Paris, F-75006, France
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