Human Reproduction, Vol 13, 920-926, Copyright © 1998 by Oxford University Press
RA Anderson, DS Irvine, C Balfour, NP Groome and SC Riley
In men, inhibin B is the circulating isoform involved in the regulation of
follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion. Within the testis, inhibin B
may have a role in Sertoli and germ cell interactions, thus secretion into
seminal plasma may reflect seminiferous tubule function. Using specific
immunoassays, inhibin B was present in seminal plasma in fertile men (n =
105) and in unselected men attending an infertility clinic (n = 174) with a
wide range in concentration from undetectable (<15 pg/ml) up to 54,100
pg/ml (geometric mean 280 pg/ml). There was a highly significant
correlation between seminal plasma inhibin B concentration and sperm
concentration (r = 0.46, P < 0.001), but no correlation with percentages
of spermatozoa with progressive motility or normal morphology. Inhibin A
and isoforms containing pro and alphaC immunoreactivity were not
detectable. In post-vasectomy seminal plasma samples (18 of 20) inhibin B
was undetectable, indicating that the testis is the predominant source. In
unselected men attending an infertility clinic, inhibin B was undetectable
in 17% (present in remainder; maximum concentration 26,200 pg/ml; mean 263
pg/ml), with a highly significant correlation between seminal plasma
inhibin B and sperm concentration (r = 0.55, P < 0.0001). In men with
oligo/ azoospermia (sperm concentration <20 x 10(6)/ml), seminal plasma
inhibin B concentrations were lower in those with elevated plasma FSH
concentrations (mean values 42 and 205 pg/ml, P < 0.05). Inhibin alpha
and betaB subunits were localized predominantly in Sertoli and Leydig
cells, using immunohistochemistry. We conclude that inhibin B of testicular
origin is present in normal human seminal plasma, but with a very wide
range in concentration, and may reflect the functional state of the
seminiferous epithelium.
ARTICLES
Inhibin B in seminal plasma: testicular origin and relationship to spermatogenesis
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Centre for Reproductive Biology, University of Edinburgh, UK.
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