[Inhibin B, predictive factor for testicular sperm recovery?]

Abstract

Serum inhibin B is a glycoprotein of gonadal origin secreted by the sertoli cells and its secretion is regulated by interaction with the germ cells. Its role as a marker of spermatogenesis is clearly established. Therefore, its role as predictor for finding sperm by surgical testicular sperm retrieval in non-obstructive azoospermia was evaluated as in these patients sperm will only be recovered in half the cases. Our results together with a review of the reports published so far, show that although inhibin B is more accurate in predicting the result of sperm recovery, it cannot predict the outcome of a testicular sperm recovery in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia.