Abstrakt
Inhibin B is a testicular hormone that regulates follicle-stimulating hormone secretion in a negative feedback loop. In males, the serum level of inhibin B is detectable throughout life, with a prominent change in the first year of life and during puberty, reflecting the testicular response to the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal hormone axis. During childhood, the basal serum inhibin B level is a direct marker of the presence and function of testicular tissue that has proved useful in the diagnosis of patients with cryptorchidism or ambiguous genitalia. In adult men, the inhibin B level is closely related to spermatogenesis. Measurements of serum inhibin B may provide valuable clues for the differential diagnosis of male infertility. A further exploration of the relationship between inhibin B, Sertoli cell function and spermatogenesis will improve the usefulness of inhibin B as a tool in the investigation of male reproductive health.
Originalsprog | Engelsk |
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Tidsskrift | Best Practice & Research: Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism |
Vol/bind | 14 |
Udgave nummer | 3 |
Sider (fra-til) | 389-97 |
Antal sider | 9 |
ISSN | 1521-690X |
Status | Udgivet - sep. 2000 |