Correlation between serum inhibin B and other indicators of the ovarian function.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the correlation between the early follicular phase serum inhibin B levels and other indicators of ovarian reserve.


METHODS
Seventy-four women aged 24-40 years (mean 32) with different infertility etiologies were investigated in the early follicular phase of a spontaneous mentrual cycle. The volume of the ovaries was measured and the total number of follicles <5 mm in size counted by ultrasound. Serum levels of FSH, estradiol (E2) and inhibin B were measured on the same day. In stepwise regression analysis inhibin B levels were correlated with age, body-mass-index, the ultrasound measurements, cause of infertility, parity, FSH and E2.


RESULTS
FSH, BMI and the number of follicles proved to be statistically significant independent predictive factors for the inhibin B levels, FSH and BMI correlating negatively and the number of follicles positively with inhibin B serum concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
The number of small follicles reflect the inhibin B production of the ovaries. BMI being as strong predictive factor of inhibin B levels as FSH could in part explain the impaired likelihood of conceiving in obese patients.
Tinkanen
H
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tampere University Hospital, FIN-33521, Tampere, Finland.
Bläuer
M
M
Laippala
P
P
Tuohimaa
P
P
Kujansuu
E
E
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005498:Follicular Phase; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010053:Ovary / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014463:Ultrasonography
D004958:Estradiol; D007265:Inhibins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone