Inhibin B is a better marker of spermatogenesis than other hormones in the evaluation of male factor infertility.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the role of inhibin B in the evaluation of male factor infertility.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Reproductive endocrinology clinic.


METHODS
Seventy-five patients with infertility problems (mean age 31.2 +/- 7.5 years) and 12 controls (32.1 +/- 8.8 years) with proven fertility.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Semen analysis was performed according to World Health Organization guidelines. Testicular volume was assessed with the Prader's orchidometer. Serum levels of inhibin B (pg/mL), LH (mIU/mL), FSH (mIU/mL), prolactin (micro IU/mL), and testosterone (nmol/L) were assessed.


RESULTS
The mean +/- SEM inhibin B and testosterone levels were significantly lower in the patients than in the controls (inhibin B: 116.4 +/- 11.7 vs. 181.2 +/- 20.9, P=.008; testosterone: 13.6 +/- 0.9 vs. 25.1 +/- 2.9, P=.008). In general, sperm count and testicular volume in the patients were significantly and positively correlated with inhibin B (sperm count: r = 0.476, P<.0001; testicular volume, right: r = 0.57, P=.0001; left: r = 0.53, P=.0001); the inhibin B-FSH index was negatively correlated with FSH. Inhibin B was more strongly correlated with testicular volume and semen parameters than FSH. Inhibin B in the patients was negatively correlated with FSH (r = -0.723, P=.0001) and LH (r = -0.52, P=.0001) and was positively correlated with testosterone (r = 0.4, P=.0013).


CONCLUSIONS
Inhibin B measurement is a better marker of fertility status than FSH and LH. Concentration of inhibin B in patients with infertility may provide useful information on spermatogenesis and possibly serve as a more direct marker of spermatogenesis than FSH.
Kumanov
Philip
P
Clinical Centre of Endocrinology and Gerontology, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Nandipati
Kalyana
K
Tomova
Analia
A
Agarwal
Ashok
A
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013076:Sperm Count; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology
D015415:Biomarkers; C422364:inhibin B; D007265:Inhibins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone