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Age-dependent inhibin B concentration in relation to FSH and semen sample qualities: a study in 2448 men.

Abstract
Inhibin B is an important serum marker of spermatogenesis, whereas sensitivity and predicting power for the spermatogenic situation at several ages are under debate. We performed a retrospective analysis of data from 2448 men who attended our University-based male infertility clinic to evaluate inhibin B in relation to age and semen sample qualities in comparison with FSH. Moreover, the range of inhibin B in 82 nonobstructive azoospermic patients was correlated with the sperm retrieval in testicular sperm extraction procedures. Inhibin B correlated with FSH (Spearman rank correlation (R)=-0.50; P<0.00001). Inhibin B and inhibin B/FSH ratio (IFR) showed an inverse U-shaped dependence on age, whereas FSH showed a U-shaped dependence on age (optimum 20-40 years). However, in men with normal spermiograms inhibin B concentrations did not differ between age groups. Their levels of inhibin B amounted to 130.5, 54.5-247 ng/l (median, 10th-90th precentile), and of IFR to 38.3, 12.5-104.8 (median, 10th-90th percentile), which might be taken as the reference range. Using the 10th percentile of IFR, correct classification in normal or pathological semen groups was achieved in 99.1%. The percentage of aniline blue-negative spermatozoa, i.e. mature spermatozoa with protamines, did not correlate with FSH (P>0.05) but with inhibin B (R=0.15, P<0.001). The probability of retrieving testicular spermatozoa decreased with declining inhibin B: <20 ng/l sperm could never be found. Our results from a large group of men with a wide spectrum of semen qualities allow estimating reference values for inhibin B and IFR. Inhibin B and especially the IFR are more sensitive markers of male infertility than FSH alone.
AuthorsS Grunewald, H-J Glander, U Paasch, J Kratzsch
JournalReproduction (Cambridge, England) (Reproduction) Vol. 145 Issue 3 Pg. 237-44 (Mar 01 2013) ISSN: 1741-7899 [Electronic] England
PMID23315688 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • Biomarkers
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human
  • inhibin B
  • Inhibins
Topics
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aging (blood, pathology)
  • Biomarkers (blood)
  • Biopsy
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human (blood)
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Male (blood, diagnosis, pathology)
  • Inhibins (blood)
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Semen Analysis (methods)
  • Sperm Count
  • Sperm Motility
  • Sperm Retrieval
  • Young Adult

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