HUMAN

CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN HORMONE (hCG)

PREGNANCY TEST USING ANTIGEN DETECTION ELISA
Aaron, D., Addun, J. N., Aguilar, J., Antazo, F. V., Aquino, M. G., Badua, A.,
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy
University of Santo Tomas

ABSTRACT
The hcG hormone is produced during pregnancy. In this experiment, the ELISA was done for pregnancy test
in the unknown urine samples 6 and 23. A home pregnancy kit follows the principle of antigen detection of
immunoassay which detects the hCG antigen. Out of the samples tested, only sample 23 contained the hCG
antigen. The blue coloration for sample 23 indicated the presence of hCG, thus positive for pregnancy.

INTRODUCTION In the experiment, two samples were subject to

ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) is
an analytical technique involving the reaction of
antigen and antibody used for detection and
quantification of analytes such as antigens and
antibodies. In ELISA, the antigen is immobilized to a
solid support and then complexed with an antibody
linked to an enzyme. Detection is accomplished by
assessing the formation of detectable product using
the enzyme label. The hCG hormone can be detected in
blood after implantation whoch occurs six to twelve
days after fertilization. In this experiment, ELISA was
performed as pregnancy test for urine sample. The
positive result for pregnancy test is a blue product due
to the presence of hCG, a hormone produced during
pregnancy.[1]
METHODOLOGY
an ELISA test that imitated a pregnancy test, such that
if the samples produced a color upon being subjected
to the method, it would indicate the presence of the
antigen, hCG.
Home pregnancy test utilizes the principle of
antigen detection immunoassay that is specific
against hCG present in the sample. The samples
containing the antigen reacted with the monoclonal
antibody directed against hCG, coated on the
microtiter wells and the monoclonal antibody-enzyme
conjugate complex. Table 1 shows that the results for
both samples, where only sample 23 obtained a
positive result, thus, the present hCG formed an
antibody-hCG-antibody – enzyme conjugate complex
on the surface of the microtiter well and the
development of the blue color was due to the horse-
radish peroxidase (enzyme substrate) added. [3]

Table 1. ELISA Results of the experiment

CONCLUSION

In the experiment performed, the results

obtained from the enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay (ELISA) presented only one positive result from
the two samples where a colorless sample was
obtained from sample 6 indicating negative result for
pregnancy and on the other hand, a blue color was
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION observed from sample 23 indicating postitive result
for pregnancy. Thereby, the antigen, human chorionic
An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay gonadotropin (hCG) present developed an anti-hCG-
(ELISA) is a useful tool for determining the presence of antibody–enzyme conjugate complex. It can be
an antigen or antibody in a sample. Applications of inferred that the correct and proper utilization of
ELISA have also been found in home pregnancy methods in ELISA was performed; hence, the
tests.[1] This technique was used in order to detect the detection of antigen-antibody corresponded to the
presence of the antigen, hCG or the human chorionic formation of the complex.
gonadotropin in samples.
REFERENCES
[1] ELISA Fundamental Principle, How ELISA Works - Immunoassays. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.bosterbio.com/protocol-
and-troubleshooting/elisa-principle
[2] ELISA Applications / Applications of ELISA. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.elisa-antibody.com/ELISA-applications
[3] ELISA for Home Pregnancy Test. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.elisa-antibody.com/ELISA-applications/home-pregnancy-
test