Place of inhibin B investigation in clinical andrological praxis

Czech version

Authors: I. Poršová-Dutoit
Authors‘ workplace: Šilinkův nadační fond Praha, vedoucí prof. MUDr. RNDr. Luboslav Stárka, DrSc.
Published in: Vnitř Lék 2008; 54(11): 1059-1062
Category: Review

Overview

Inhibin B is a gonadal dimeric peptide, produced in men in testicular Sertolli cells. Inhibin B blood level knowledge can be a useful tool in the management of difficult diagnostic problems, such as ambiguous genitalia, the distinction between cryptorchidism and anorchidism and the hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism/delayed puberty differential diagnosis. Inhibin B measurements can help in gonadal dysgenesis evaluation, androgen insensitivity management and also in the diagnosis of some gonadal tumors. In adult men, inhibin B evaluation is helpful in the investigation of male infertility, especially in the judgment of the pro-gnosis of testicular biopsy in in‑vitro fertilization programs. Although commercial kits for inhibin B measurement are available at present, its evaluation is accessible in the Czech Republic for the time being in only very limited number of laboratory centers.

Key words:
inhibin – ambiguous genitalia – cryptorchidism – puberty – gonadal tumors – infertility

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