: Early pregnancy tests were biological assays. In the 1920s and 30s, a woman's urine was injected into immature mice, rats, or rabbits; if the animal’s ovaries matured, it indicated a positive result.
: In the 1960s, testing moved toward immunological assays using antibodies. By 1978, the first home pregnancy tests became widely available in the U.S., allowing private and rapid confirmation of pregnancy. Core Biological Functions Hormone Hcg
Often called the "pregnancy hormone," Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein produced primarily by the placenta during pregnancy . It is most famous for being the chemical detected by at-home pregnancy tests, but its biological roles extend far beyond just being a marker of conception. The Evolution of Discovery : Early pregnancy tests were biological assays
hCG acts as a master signaler during gestation, orchestrating several critical processes: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): Purpose & Levels By 1978, the first home pregnancy tests became
: The hormone was first identified in 1927 by scientists Selmar Aschheim and Bernhard Zondek, who noticed its presence in the urine of pregnant women.