title: The Sertoli cell: Novel clinical potentiality.
abstract: The Sertoli cell is important for endocrine and paracrine control of spermatogenesis. Functions attributed to Sertoli cells are: (1) supportive and trophic functions for the cells of the seminiferous epithelium, (2) transport of mature spermatids towards the lumen of seminiferous tubules, (3) secretion of androgen binding protein, (4) production of substances with endocrine or paracrine action for spermatogenesis control and (5) interaction with intertubular endocrine Leydig cells. Inhibin B and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) are glycoproteins belonging to the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily; they are produced almost exclusively by the Sertoli cells and have been proposed as direct markers of their function and indirect markers of spermatogenesis. Serum inhibin B and AMH concentrations seem to constitute additional diagnostic parameters in male subfertility as they reflect Sertoli cell function. Stimulated concentrations of serum inhibin B and AMH do not add clinically relevant information in subfertile men compared to basal concentrations of these hormones. Serum inhibin B and AMH concentrations correlate with testicular histology/cytology but are not superior to FSH as predictors of the presence of sperm in testicular sperm extraction (TESE)/fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy in men with azoospermia.
authors: Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Paschalia K
authors: PK
authors: Iliadou
authors: Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Christos
authors: C
authors: Tsametis
authors: Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Athina
authors: A
authors: Kaprara
authors: Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Ioannis
authors: I
authors: Papadimas
authors: Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Dimitrios G
authors: DG
authors: Goulis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone / Q000097:blood; D053713:Azoospermia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D005298:Fertility; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D019899:Paracrine Communication; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013091:Spermatogenesis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C422364:inhibin B; D007265:Inhibins; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone