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Semin Reprod Med 2004; 22(3): 177-185
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-831893
Copyright © 2004 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Inhibins in Normal Male Physiology

Anne E. O’Connor1 , David M. de Kretser1
  • 1Centre for Molecular Reproduction and Endocrinology, Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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Publication History

Publication Date:
20 August 2004 (online)

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Inhibin is a dimeric glycoprotein that suppresses follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion from the pituitary. Two bioactive forms of inhibin exist, inhibin A and B. The availability of specific immunoassays for each of the isoforms has enabled the study of the individual inhibins and their physiological roles. In the male, inhibin B is the circulating form in all species studied to date except the sheep. Inhibin B is produced in the testis, principally by the Sertoli cells. There are temporal changes in inhibin expression and secretion with the changing role of the Sertoli cell in immature and adult testes. Variations in inhibin B production between species reflect the different patterns of maturation. In the adult, inhibin B levels are positively correlated with Sertoli cell function, sperm number, and spermatogenic status and are negatively correlated with FSH. It appears that the regulation of inhibin B production is mediated by a complex interaction between FSH, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, and germ cells. Inhibin may also play a role at an autocrine or paracrine level in modulating the actions of activin.

KEYWORDS

Inhibin - male - testis - Sertoli cell

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 Professor
David M de KretserM.D.  Director

Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development, Monash University

27-31 Wright Street, Clayton

Victoria 3168, Australia