Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
4
pubmed:dateCreated
2006-7-19
pubmed:abstractText
Inhibin-B is a heterodimeric glycoprotein produced by Sertoli cells. Although inhibin-B levels are low when seminiferous tubules are damaged, studies in normal monkeys reveal that inhibin-B levels also correlate positively with Sertoli cell number. In this study, we measured inhibin-B levels in healthy young adult men aged 18-24 years and in prepubertal boys aged 5-9 years in relation to body mass index (BMI). Inhibin-B levels declined with increasing obesity in young adult men; values were 26% lower in men who were obese compared to normal-weight men. Sex hormone-binding globulin and total testosterone, but not free testosterone, were also lower with increasing BMI; serum follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels were unaffected by obesity. In prepubertal boys, by contrast, inhibin-B was unaffected by obesity. We propose that reduced levels of inhibin-B indicate that obese men have fewer Sertoli cells than men of normal weight. Moreover, normal values in obese prepubertal boys suggest that the effect of obesity on inhibin-B is established during puberty. Finally, because each Sertoli cell is thought to support a finite number of germ cells, fewer Sertoli cells in obesity may predispose to a lower sperm count in adulthood. We speculate that the escalating prevalence of obesity and insulin resistance among adolescents might negatively influence male reproductive function for the next generation.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
0196-3635
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
27
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
560-4
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-14
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:articleTitle
Inhibin-B levels in healthy young adult men and prepubertal boys: is obesity the cause for the contemporary decline in sperm count because of fewer Sertoli cells?
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA. sjwint01@louisville.edu
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural