HD physiology

Question 1

what does LMP stand for

Answer 1

last menstural period

Question 2

what does MSU stand for

Answer 2

mid stream urine

Question 3

describe the structure of HCG

Answer 3

Human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG or hCG or hCGβ) is a glycoprotein and consists of an α + β subunit.
4) The α subunit is identical in Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinising Hormone (LH) and hCG (and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)) and is composed of 92 amino acids.
- The β subunit is different in FSH, LH, hCG and confers specific biological action.
The β subunit of LH and hCG both stimulate the same receptor.
- The hCG beta subunit contains an additional 24 amino acids.

Question 4

What is HCG made by

Answer 4

HCG is made by the trophoblast of the developing placenta, in particular, the syncytiotrophoblast cells

Question 5

how does HCG maintain the pregnancy

Answer 5

It maintains pregnancy by preventing the breakdown of the corpus luteum
- it ensures production of progesterone until the placenta is established enough at 10-12 weeks of pregnancy to produce steroids itself

Question 6

when do non pregnancy people produce HCG

Answer 6

if this result is accurate and reliable then the most likely cause for the presence of hCG in Ben is a hCG- secreting tumour.
There are many types of tumours and they are often named by the type of cell they are formed from.
One type of tumour is called a choriocarcinoma. This is a very rare type and affects young men (and women) between the ages of 20-30 years.

Question 7

what are some other tumour markers

Answer 7

alpha fetaprotein (αFP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).