HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is the hormone that is released during pregnancy. This hormone is used for the pregnancy test, which confirms pregnancy in the woman.

It is produced by the syncytiotrophoblastic cells of the placenta during the pregnancy.

It is analogous or similar to the hormone that is produced by the pituitary glands, named luteinizing hormone (LH).

It stimulates the corpus luteum, which is responsible for the production of progesterone to maintain the pregnancy.