Question:
Which of the following hormones has the longest half-life (t½)?
Which of the following hormones has the longest half-life (t½)?
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Glycoprotein Hormone Half-lives (Shortest to Longest):
LH (approx. 20-30 mins) $<$ TSH (approx. 60 mins) $<$ FSH (approx. 3-4 hours) $<$ hCG (approx. 24-36 hours).
The extensive sialic acid residues on hCG prevent rapid hepatic clearance, making it highly stable in the blood and useful as a prolonged pregnancy marker.
LH (approx. 20-30 mins) $<$ TSH (approx. 60 mins) $<$ FSH (approx. 3-4 hours) $<$ hCG (approx. 24-36 hours).
The extensive sialic acid residues on hCG prevent rapid hepatic clearance, making it highly stable in the blood and useful as a prolonged pregnancy marker.
Updated On: Sep 3, 2026
- FSH
- LH
- TSH
- hCG
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Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Concept:
The question asks the examinee to identify the hormone with the longest physiological half-life within the specific, structurally related family of glycoprotein hormones.
Understanding the molecular structure and clearance kinetics of these hormones is crucial for interpreting laboratory tests, particularly in pregnancy, endocrinology, and fertility treatments.
Explanation:
• Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) all belong to the highly conserved glycoprotein hormone family.
• These four specific hormones share an identical, common alpha subunit. Their unique biological specificity and distinct receptor targeting are determined entirely by their structurally unique beta subunits.
• The physiological half-life of these glycoprotein hormones in the bloodstream is almost entirely determined by the extent and complexity of their carbohydrate glycosylation, and specifically, the heavy presence of terminal sialic acid residues on their molecular structure.
• Terminal sialic acid residues effectively shield the underlying hormone molecule from rapid recognition and degradation by the asialoglycoprotein clearance receptors located predominantly in the liver.
• Among this specific group of hormones, hCG (Option D) is by far the most heavily glycosylated and possesses a remarkably high proportion of terminal sialic acid residues, particularly on its unique, extended carboxy-terminal peptide tail.
• Because of this extensive, protective sialylation, hepatic clearance of hCG is extremely slow. This endows hCG with a remarkably long physiological half-life, reliably lasting approximately 24 to 36 hours.
• In stark comparison, the other hormones have significantly less sialylation and undergo much faster clearance. LH (Option B) has a very short half-life of only about 20 to 30 minutes, which is why it is secreted in rapid, pulsatile bursts. FSH (Option A) has an intermediate half-life of roughly 3 to 4 hours. TSH (Option C) typically has a half-life of roughly 60 minutes.
Final Answer:
Due to its extensive glycosylation and high sialic acid content, human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) has the longest half-life among the glycoprotein hormones.
The question asks the examinee to identify the hormone with the longest physiological half-life within the specific, structurally related family of glycoprotein hormones.
Understanding the molecular structure and clearance kinetics of these hormones is crucial for interpreting laboratory tests, particularly in pregnancy, endocrinology, and fertility treatments.
Explanation:
• Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) all belong to the highly conserved glycoprotein hormone family.
• These four specific hormones share an identical, common alpha subunit. Their unique biological specificity and distinct receptor targeting are determined entirely by their structurally unique beta subunits.
• The physiological half-life of these glycoprotein hormones in the bloodstream is almost entirely determined by the extent and complexity of their carbohydrate glycosylation, and specifically, the heavy presence of terminal sialic acid residues on their molecular structure.
• Terminal sialic acid residues effectively shield the underlying hormone molecule from rapid recognition and degradation by the asialoglycoprotein clearance receptors located predominantly in the liver.
• Among this specific group of hormones, hCG (Option D) is by far the most heavily glycosylated and possesses a remarkably high proportion of terminal sialic acid residues, particularly on its unique, extended carboxy-terminal peptide tail.
• Because of this extensive, protective sialylation, hepatic clearance of hCG is extremely slow. This endows hCG with a remarkably long physiological half-life, reliably lasting approximately 24 to 36 hours.
• In stark comparison, the other hormones have significantly less sialylation and undergo much faster clearance. LH (Option B) has a very short half-life of only about 20 to 30 minutes, which is why it is secreted in rapid, pulsatile bursts. FSH (Option A) has an intermediate half-life of roughly 3 to 4 hours. TSH (Option C) typically has a half-life of roughly 60 minutes.
Final Answer:
Due to its extensive glycosylation and high sialic acid content, human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) has the longest half-life among the glycoprotein hormones.
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