The Endocrinology of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
Following blastocyst implantation (8–10 DPO), the syncytiotrophoblast secretes hCG into maternal circulation to rescue the corpus luteum from degradation, sustaining critical progesterone production.
hCG exhibits rapid exponential doubling during early gestation, peaking between weeks 9 and 11 before declining to a steady plateau for the remainder of pregnancy.