Abstract
Background/Aims: Some studies reported an impaired gonadal function in males born small for gestational age (SGA). We investigated Sertoli cell function by measuring serum inhibin B and antimullerian hormone (AMH) levels in prepubertal boys and young men born SGA in comparison with age-matched controls born appropriate for gestational age (AGA). Methods: Inhibin B and AMH levels were determined in 73 prepubertal short SGA boys and in 72 age-matched AGA boys. In addition, 25 SGA boys were re-examined after 2 years of growth hormone (GH) treatment. Furthermore, inhibin B, AMH, testosterone, LH and FSH were studied in three groups of young men: 21 SGA men treated with GH, 15 SGA men with spontaneous catch-up growth and 25 young men born AGA. Results: Prepubertal short SGA boys and AGA boys had similar inhibin B (87.3 and 78.2 ng/ml) and AMH levels (75.6 and 63.6 µg/l, respectively). GH treatment did not result in different inhibin B and AMH levels. In young SGA men, inhibin B, testosterone, LH and FSH levels were similar compared to young AGA men. AMH levels were higher in the young SGA men (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Being born SGA does not impair Sertoli cell function. Young men born SGA have a normal hypothalamic-pituitary-testis axis.
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