Inhibin-B: the physiologic basis of the clomiphene citrate challenge test for ovarian reserve screening.
OBJECTIVE
To determine inhibin-B concentrations during ovarian reserve screening in women with normal and diminished ovarian reserve as determined by the clomiphene citrate challenge test.


METHODS
Retrospective.


METHODS
Tertiary fertility center.


METHODS
Women undergoing ovarian reserve screening for a routine fertility evaluation.


METHODS
Clomiphene citrate challenge test.


METHODS
Inhibin-B concentrations on menstrual days 3 and 10.


RESULTS
Nineteen patients with normal ovarian reserve and 15 with diminished ovarian reserve had serum inhibin-B concentrations determined during ovarian reserve screening. For all patients, day 10 inhibin-B concentrations were higher than day 3. Women with normal ovarian reserve had higher inhibin-B concentrations on both days 3 and 10 than women with diminished ovarian reserve. Inhibin-B concentrations demonstrated a negative correlation with FSH levels on both cycle days 3 and 10 and a positive correlation with E2 on cycle day 10.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with diminished ovarian reserve during ovarian reserve screening had reduced granulosa cell inhibin-B production compared with women with normal ovarian reserve. The lower inhibin-B concentrations may be responsible for the elevated FSH concentrations and may be indicative of the aging follicular apparatus.
Hofmann
G E
GE
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bethesda Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Danforth
D R
DR
Seifer
D B
DB
D000328:Adult; D002996:Clomiphene; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007265:Inhibins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D007700:Kinetics; D010053:Ovary / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D002996:Clomiphene; D007265:Inhibins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone