title: Inhibin B and anti-Müllerian hormone in spermatic vein of subfertile men with varicocele.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The pathophysiology of subfertility in men with varicocele remains unclear as well as the role of inhibin B (Inh-B) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). The aim of this study was to evaluate Inh-B and AMH concentrations in the spermatic vein of subfertile men with varicocele.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 61 subfertile men with varicocele and 31 fertile controls underwent standard andrological evaluation. All subfertile men underwent varicocelectomy, during which blood samples were obtained from the spermatic vein to evaluate Inh-B and AMH concentrations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Peripheral vein Inh-B concentrations in men with varicocele were lower as compared to controls (52.9 [8.3-136.0) vs 116±9.7 ng/dL, P = .001). There was no difference in AMH concentrations (10.2 [4.4-45.4]) vs 10.4±0.8 pg/dL, P = 0.9). Spermatic vein Inh-B concentrations in men with varicocele were higher compared to those of peripheral vein (87.6±4.4 vs 52.9 [8.3-136.0] ng/dL, P = .001). On the contrary, spermatic vein AMH concentrations were lower compared to those from peripheral vein (8.84 [3.9-47.7] vs 10.2 [4.4-45.4] pg/dL, P = .013).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inh-B constitutes a reliable marker of Sertoli cell function as well as spermatogenesis. On the contrary, the clinical significance of AMH in men with varicocele remains to be elucidated.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. dimitrios.goulis@otenet.gr
authors.forename: Dimitrios Ch
authors.initials: DCh
authors.lastname: Goulis
authors.forename: Gesthimani
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mintziori
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Koliakos
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hatzichristou
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Papadimas
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hatzimouratidis
authors.forename: Dimitrios G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Goulis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D012708:Sertoli Cells; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism; D014646:Varicocele / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014680:Veins / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: C422364:inhibin B; D007265:Inhibins; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone