For researchers in search of an evidence-based comparison between gonadorelin vs. hCG, this is the the right spot.
This exhaustive guide delves into the latest scientific findings regarding the benefits, limitations, and safety concerns associated with both compounds.
In this guide, we'll outline the parallels and contrasts of gonadorelin vs. hCG in their most researched benefits:
- Post cycle therapy (PCT)
- Ovulation induction
- Management of male hypogonadism
Moreover, we'll discuss their approval statuses, dosing, and potential applications for exploration. Tapping into our team's vast expertise, we'll also share details on trustworthy online suppliers for professionals keen on procuring research peptides like gonadorelin.
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What is Gonadorelin?
Gonadorelin is a synthetic peptide that has an identical structure to the native gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) produced by the hypothalamus [1]. Thus, gonadorelin has the identical effects to native GnRH on the human body when administered therapeutically.
These effects include:
- Stimulating the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) by the pituitary;
- Regulating the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in both men and women; and,
- Regulating LH/FSH levels, thus controlling ovulation, menstrual cycles, and overall fertility in women, and the production of testosterone and the formation of sperm in men.
Gonadorelin's ability to stimulate the release of LH and FSH has led to its approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a diagnostic tool for assessing the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) system [2].
However, its commercial availability in the United States has ceased due to commercial reasons unrelated to safety or efficacy.
Gonadorelin has also been clinically utilized in the form of a pulsatile gonadorelin pump (PGP) to induce ovulation in women with irregular menstrual cycles arising from hypothalamic issues. It's currently in use for this indication in several countries, including Canada, under the brand name Lutrelef, which is administered via the LutrePulse pump injector device [3].
In the United States, gonadorelin is currently accessible solely as a research peptide for scientific experiments.
What is HCG?
hCG is a naturally occurring hormone with a glycoprotein structure composed of 237 amino acids. It is primarily produced by the placenta in women, but it can also be synthesized and used for therapeutic indications [4, 5].
Adult men and non-pregnant women produce only small amounts of the hormone in their gonads [6].
The hCG produced during pregnancy plays an important role in the male fetus, as it mimics the function of LH and stimulates testicular function until the pituitary gland is mature enough to take over the role [7].
By mimicking LH function, the peptide can also stimulate ovulation in women. Based on extensive research into hCG's potential, the glycoprotein is now approved by the FDA for several indications:
- Prepubertal Cryptorchidism: For young males who have undescended testes, provided the condition is not due to any anatomical impediments [8].
- Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism: For men who experience hypogonadism as a result of a pituitary deficiency, hCG therapy might be the solution in specific instances [9].
- Induction of Ovulation: For women who face difficulties ovulating and have infertility concerns, hCG can be instrumental in inducing ovulation, paving the way for a potential pregnancy [10].
Exogenous hCG is available as a prescription-only medication under several brand names, including Novarel, Ovidrel, and Pregnyl [11].
Gonadorelin vs. HCG | Comparing Benefits
As evident, both hCG and gonadorelin interact with the HPG axis, albeit at different levels, to stimulate testicular function in men and ovarian function in women. Below, we will compare the two compounds in terms of their shared benefits.
Gonadorelin vs. HCG for Post Cycle Therapy
Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) and testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) are interventions that can significantly alter the body's natural hormone levels.
It can be challenging to restore the body's natural hormonal balance upon cessation of either treatments AAS or TRT. Research suggests that although most men do recover their normal testosterone production and fertility without any therapy, the process can take months, if not years [12].
Compounds like gonadorelin and hCG can be used to kickstart the HPG axis and restore normal gonadal function earlier than by going “cold turkey.”
Here is a notable study supporting the use of gonadorelin as part of a post cycle therapy protocol:
- In a study involving 26 men (13 people with past AAS use, 5 hypogonadal subjects, and 8 controls), a single 100mcg dose of gonadorelin (GnRH) notably raised LH levels in all groups. After just one injection, the 5 AAS users reached LH levels sufficient to fall within the bottom 5% of the reference range. LH levels in all treated groups more than doubled, though the control group maintained the highest hormone levels. This study suggests that even a single injection of gonadorelin may be capable of restoring normal LH synthesis [13]
hCG may also be used alongside or after TRT to stimulate the natural production of testosterone:
- A case study series examined 49 men with infertility issues due to exogenous testosterone use. They were treated with 3,000U of hCG every other day in combination with other medications. Nearly 96% showed a return or improvement in sperm production, with an average recovery time of 4.6 months. The initial return sperm density averaged 22.6 million/mL. The study suggests hCG combination therapy is effective for testosterone-induced infertility, but some of the subjects also needed additional medications such as FSH, clomiphene citrate, or tamoxifen [14].
Gonadorelin vs. HCG for Inducing Ovulation
Both gonadorelin and hCG can stimulate ovulation in women, including in both healthy women and those with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
Here are two key studies regarding the benefits of gonadorelin and hCG for ovulation:
- Gonadorelin was shown to be effective for inducing ovulation in 66 women with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA). The peptide was applied as a pulse therapy (10mcg of gonadorelin every 90 minutes) for a total of 212 ovulation induction attempts. The therapy resulted in a 96% ovulation rate, an 80.5% pregnancy rate per treatment, and a 65.9% live birth rate per treatment [3].
- A study compared the effectiveness of hCG to another GnRH agonist (triptorelin) in 197 infertile women undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI). After adjusting for BMI and infertility duration, there was no statistical difference between the rate of successful ovulation and pregnancies between the GnRH agonist and hCG. Overall, hCG led to ovulation in 91.4% of the women, and the clinical pregnancy rate following the therapy was 24.7% [15].
Gonadorelin vs. HCG for Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism
Studies have directly compared the effectiveness of pulsatile gonadorelin therapy (via a pump administering 10mcg every 90 mins) to a cyclical gonadotropin therapy involving the use of hCG alongside human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG).
Both treatments have been investigated and used clinically to restore fertility in males aged 16 or older with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and related micropenis, or absent or delayed puberty.
Here are some of the main findings reported by one such comparative study [16]:
- The pulsatile gonadorelin therapy group experienced an earlier onset of spermatogenesis than the hCG + HMG group. Specifically, the median time to spermatogenesis was 6 months for the pulsatile gonadorelin therapy group, as opposed to 14 months for the hCG + HMG group.
- Spermatogenesis occurred in 90% of men in the pulsatile gonadorelin therapy group and in 83.3% of those in the hCG + HMG group. The difference in rates was not statistically significant, indicating comparable efficacy in inducing spermatogenesis.
- Both therapies resulted in significant increases in testis volume and penile length from baseline, with no notable difference between the two treatments.
- The hCG + HMG group tended to have higher serum testosterone levels, but this was also associated with side effects like facial acne and breast tenderness.
Gonadorelin vs. HCG | Dosage Comparison
As mentioned, both hCG and gonadorelin can be used to induce a faster recovery of testosterone synthesis and fertility in men who have taken AAS or are looking to pause or discontinue TRT.
While both gonadorelin and hCG are usually applied in these settings as subcutaneous injections, they have vastly different dosages and dosing regimens.
Here are some of the key recommendations for hCG dosing as PCT according to data:
- Studies report that the majority of PCT regimes for recovery of spermatogenesis and testosterone production involve starting with hCG doses of 1,500 to 5,000IU 2–3 times per week for three to six months, right after cessation of AAS or TRT [17].
- The researchers suggest that if spermatogenesis is not restored following this protocol, subjects should also receive recombinant FSH in doses of 75 to 400 IUs 2–3 times per week [18].
In addition, hCG can also be applied intramuscularly in similar dosages thanks to the similar bioavailability of the compound, as shown by research [19].
Further, hCG may be administered alongside TRT in doses of 500 IU to prevent the suppression of intratesticular testosterone production during hormone replacement [20].
On the other hand, gonadorelin is shown to effectively stimulate the HPG axis and induce an increase in LH levels within the reference ranges in 35% of subjects after a single 100mcg injection [13].
In addition, a case study suggests that daily doses of up to 200mcg administered for three consecutive days can restore normal LH, FSH, and testosterone levels in those with a history of AAS use who have not spontaneously regained normal HPG axis function after months of AAS cessation.
In the case study, the man had undetectable LH and FSH levels, and testosterone levels of 130ng/dl. LH and FSH levels were highest after the first injection, reaching the physiological range, while testosterone levels were 383 and 320ng/dl on days two and three respectively [21].
Gonadorelin Dosage Guide
Here is a sample dosing protocol of gonadorelin for PCT research based on the available data:
- Dosage: 100mcg of gonadorelin, injected subcutaneously.
- Administration: Administer as a single dose after cessation of TRT or AAS use.
- Notes: It is advised not to administer the peptide frequently (daily) or use higher doses as this may result in suppression of LH and testosterone synthesis.
In addition, gonadorelin is also available for intranasal administration in research settings. However, there is a limited amount of research regarding this form of administration.
The peptide has been tested in small studies with both men and women, which reported daily doses of up to 7.5mg split in several intakes at 2-hour intervals for 6 hours on 3 consecutive days [22, 23]. Researchers can learn more about this form of administration in our detailed review of gonadorelin nasal spray.
Gonadorelin vs. HCG | Side Effects and Safety
Studies report that hCG therapy can lead to the following side effects [24]:
- Headache
- Depressions
- Restlessness
- Allergic reactions
- Reactions at the injection site
Some researchers also report that acne, gynecomastia, and thromboembolic events are possible at high hCG doses [25].
On the other hand, studies with gonadorelin do not report any specific side effects except for [16, 26]:
- Skin allergic reactions, such as indurative erythema
- Suppression of the HPG axis during repetitive high doses
Subjects who are undergoing gonadorelin therapy for the induction of puberty may also experience transitory acne and breast tenderness.
Repeated administration of high gonadorelin doses may lead to desensitization of the GnRH receptors and reduced response from the pituitary gland, thereby suppressing the HPG axis.
Studies report that repeated dosing of 200mcg and 400mcg/daily leads to a reduction in LH and FSH levels within 10-14 days, with the effect being dose-dependent [26].
There may also be local side effects related to the route of administration, including discomfort, redness, swelling, bleeding, and potential infections. Typically, these symptoms are mild and resolve on their own.
Where to Buy Gonadorelin Online? | 2024 Edition
Researchers seeking top-tier gonadorelin for their studies should only procure from reputable peptide suppliers to ensure the integrity and safety of their work.
Here is our recommendation:
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Gonadorelin vs. HCG | Verdict
Both hCG and gonadorelin have been successfully tested and shown effective for uses like the induction of ovulation in women and the treatment of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in men.
In addition, they have been successfully employed in PCT research and show great potential for faster fertility and testosterone synthesis recovery after AAS and TRT use.
Yet, gonadorelin stands out for its ability to kickstart the HPG axis even after a single injection, as it stimulates the release of both LH and FSH. On the other hand, hCG mimics the function of LH, and some subjects may need additional FSH therapy for full recovery.
Researchers interested in obtaining high-quality gonadorelin for their experiments are advised to select a trusted vendor within the scientific community. We recommend this top-rated vendor..