Inhibin B is the major form of inhibin secreted from testes in male Japanese macaques ( Macaca fuscata).

Abstract

In order to clarify the cellular source and forms of bioactive inhibin in male Japanese macaques ( Macaca fuscata), circulating concentrations of inhibin A and B, and immunohistochemical localization of inhibin subunits in testis were studied. Plasma concentrations of testosterone were also measured. The present study showed that inhibin B was clearly detected in the plasma of male Japanese macaques. Moreover, concentrations of both inhibin B and testosterone during the breeding (mating) season were significantly higher than those of the non-breeding season. On the other hand, plasma inhibin A was detected neither during the breeding seasons nor during the non-breeding seasons. Positive stainings with alpha and betaB subunit antibodies were observed in the Sertoli cells, however staining with betaA subunit antibody was not observed in the testicular samples. These results indicate that inhibin B is the major circulating inhibin and probably secreting from Sertoli cells in male Japanese macaques.