(n) hormone produced early in pregnancy by the placenta; detection in the urine and serum is the basis for one kind of pregnancy test, Syn. human chorionic gonadotrophin, HCG
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53 Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)
n. (Physiology) A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland and placenta, which stimulates the gonads and controls reproductive activity. Syn. -- gonadotropic hormone. [ WordNet 1.5 ]