title: Inhibin B is a better marker of spermatogenesis than other hormones in the evaluation of male factor infertility.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Centre of Endocrinology and Gerontology, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kumanov
authors.forename: Kalyana
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nandipati
authors.forename: Analia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tomova
authors.forename: Ashok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agarwal
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C422364:inhibin B; D007265:Inhibins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone