Moeders voor Moeders is part of Aspen API, based in Oss. Every year, thousands of pregnant women in the Netherlands collect their urine over several weeks and donate it to Moeders voor Moeders. We collect approximately one million litres of urine annually, from which we extract the hCG hormone.
Each week, the bottles of urine are collected from participants and taken to the Aspen factory in Boxtel, where the hCG hormone is extracted. This process consists of several purification and analysis steps and takes around 6 to 9 months to complete.
Once the hCG has been fully purified and analyzed, it is used to make fertility medications. We do not produce these medications ourselves. Instead, we supply the purified hCG to various international pharmaceutical companies, each of which manufactures its own fertility treatment for humans.
Under the Medicines Act, we are not allowed to advertise specific medications. Therefore, we cannot name the medicines that contain our hCG, and due to competitive reasons, we cannot disclose the producers either. The contracts between Aspen API and its customers stipulate that the hCG supplied by Aspen can only be used for the production of human fertility medications. All the urine collected by Moeders voor Moeders is thus used exclusively for human fertility treatments. This includes:
- Treatment of women with fertility issues: the majority of the medications containing our hCG are used for this purpose.
- Treatment of men and boys with fertility issues: a smaller portion of the medications containing our hCG is used for this purpose.
Fertility medications containing our hCG are available in various countries around the world. In the Netherlands, there is also a fertility medication available that is made from the urinary hCG collected by Moeders voor Moeders.
"Improper use" refers to the use of a medication for purposes other than what it was intended or approved for, such as the use of hCG medications in weight loss programs or by bodybuilders. Unfortunately, as a raw material supplier, we cannot prevent hCG medications from being used for purposes other than their registered uses. We do not support this misuse and deeply regret that it happens.
Until 1985, a small portion of the hCG produced by Aspen API's predecessor was used in the veterinary industry. Since then, the hCG extracted from the urine collected by Moeders voor Moeders is only used to produce fertility medications for humans. The hCG used in the veterinary industry comes from other collection programs around the world and has no connection to Moeders voor Moeders.
The urine of newly pregnant women is the only viable source of natural hCG. In addition to natural hCG (also called urinary hCG), there is also synthetic hCG, which is produced in a laboratory. For many years, fertility medications have been made using both urinary and synthetic hCG. Doctors use both types during fertility treatments.
Because women may respond differently to various medications, it is important that doctors have the option of using either urinary or synthetic hCG during fertility treatments. Patients themselves often have a preference for a particular type of hCG as well.
To meet the high demand for fertility medications and to ensure that both doctors and patients have the freedom to choose, it is essential to continue collecting urine from newly pregnant women. Urine is the only source of urinary hCG.
Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page on our website. If your question isn't listed or you'd prefer to speak with someone, call us at 088 - 278 00 00. We’re happy to answer any questions!
Because you answered the question 'Are you pregnant?' with 'no', you unfortunately cannot participate.
Moeders voor Moeders collects urine from women who are in the early stages of pregnancy. The hCG hormone that is processed into fertility drugs is extracted from this urine.
Do you have any questions? Please contact us by calling 088 - 278 0000 or send an email to info@moedersvoormoeders.nl.