The significance of serum inhibin B levels in evaluating the Sertoli cell function of cryptorchidism

Abstract

Objective To investigate the value of serum inhibin B in evaluating the Sertoli cell function in cryptorchidism children by the study of the correlation between the serum inhibin B levels and cryptorchidism. Methods From August 2006 to August 2011, 672 cryptorchidism aged from 6 to 72 months (mean age 27.7 months) were measured of serum inhibin B level by ELISA. Of those 672 boys, 505 were unilateral, 106 were bilateral and 61 were unilateral vanished testis. Three hundred and eighty-five cases aged 6 to 24 months, 109 cases aged 25 to 36 months and 178 cases aged 37 to 72 months. The control group consisted of 335 boys selected from physical examination or circumcision with corresponded age, 98 cases aged 6 to 24 months, 101 cases aged 25 to 36 months and 136 cases aged 37 to 72 months. The blood samples for serum inhibin B were taken from everyone and, in part of cases, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months postoperatively respectively. The comparision of serum inhibin B levels among the groups was done, and the correlation between serum inhibin B level and testicular volume was analyzed. Results Compared with the control group, the serum inhibin B levels of all groups with unilateral and bilateral cryptorchidism are lower significantly(P 0.05), except those aged 6 to 24 months[38.54 pg/ml(25.98, 50.24)pg/ml vs.68.04 pg/ml (44.95, 115.64) pg/ml, P<0.05]. For bilateral cases aged 6 to 24 months, the serum inhibin B level are significantly lower than that of unilateral cases[30.68 pg/ml(17.37, 42.43)pg/ml vs.45.91 pg/ml(30.98, 69.70)pg/ml, P<0.05]. The serum inhibin B levels were significantly increased 6 months later in those who had undergone orchidopexy [37.34 pg/ml(22.79, 64.25)pg/ml vs. 30.48 pg/ml(16.56, 50.08)pg/ml, P<0.05]. For boys with unilateral and bilateral cryptorchidism aged 6 to 24 months, inhibin B levels correlated positively with testicular volume(P<0.05). Conclusions The serum inhibin B level can be used as a reliable marker in evaluating the Sertoli cell function of cryptorchidism, and the orchidopexy had a positive impact on the serum levels of inhibin B. Key words: Cryptorchidism; Inhibin B; Sertoli cell