Lactogen - Placental, hPL

General Product Information

hPL is isolated from human placenta and provided as a powder, lyophilized from ammonium bicarbonate. Protein content is determined by absorbance at 280nm (Emg/ml = 0.90).

The human placenta produces several hormones that are homologous to hormones of the anterior pituitary. Human Placental Lactogen (hPL), a single polypeptide chain of 190 amino acid residues, is structurally similar to human prolactin and growth hormone. Not surprisingly, hPL demonstrates both lactogenic and growth-stimulating activity.

hPL serum levels rise very early in normal pregnancy and continue to increase until a plateau is reached at approximately the 35th week post-conception. As such, immunoassays for maternal serum levels of hPL are useful in monitoring placental function. In addition, serum elevations of hPL in non-pregnant individuals are associated with various malignancies.

Note: Monoclonal Antibody is available for hPL