Altered serum inhibin b levels in adolescents with varicocele.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE:

Different studies have evaluated testicular hormonal dysfunction in adolescent varicocele but with variable results. Recently, inhibin B has been proposed as a marker for spermatogenesis and Sertoli cell function. The aim of the present study was to study in a homogeneous cohort of adolescents inhibin B and other hormones to detect whether untreated varicocele may be associated with any modifications of these factors.

METHODS:

Sixteen adolescents (mean age, 14.5 +/- 1.0 years), at Tanner stages 4 to 5 with grade II or III left-sided varicocele, underwent hormonal evaluation of inhibin B, basal testosterone, and both baseline and GnRH stimulated FSH and LH levels. Thirteen unaffected adolescents of age-matched and pubertal development were used as controls.

RESULTS:

Patients with varicocele showed a significant reduction in the testicular volume of the affected side (13.3 +/- 4.1 vs 15.8 +/- 4.8 mL; P = .002) and significant reduced levels of inhibin B compared with controls (271.9 +/- 70.2 vs 327.1 +/- 34.9 pg/mL; P = .042). Inhibin B levels were significantly correlated with testes volume (r = 0.62; P = .0097). Other hormonal parameters were similar in both varicocele and control groups.

CONCLUSION:

Inhibin B is reduced in adolescents with untreated varicocele, and it is positively correlated with testicular volume. This could be an early marker for Sertoli cell damage, with possible implications for spermatogenesis and could represent a new indication for varicocele repair.

• Authors: Carmelo Romeo, Teresa Arrigo, Pietro Impellizzeri, Agatino Manganaro, Pietro Antonuccio, Giuseppe Di Pasquale, Maria Francesca Messina, Lucia Marseglia, Isabella Formica, Biagio Zuccarello
• Journal: Journal of pediatric surgery (J Pediatr Surg) Vol. 42 Issue 2 Pg. 390-4 (Feb 2007) ISSN: 1531-5037 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 17270555 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• inhibin B
• Inhibins
• Luteinizing Hormone
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone

Topics

• Adolescent
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Case-Control Studies
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone (blood)
• Humans
• Inhibins (blood)
• Linear Models
• Luteinizing Hormone (blood)
• Male
• Probability
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Severity of Illness Index
• Varicocele (blood, diagnosis)