SERUM INHIBIN B AS A DIAGNOSTIC MARKER OF MALE INFERTILITY
Abstract
Background: Infertility affects about 15% of all couples in the world. Approximately 40% of allinfertility cases could be attributed entirely to male factors. Serum inhibin B has emerged as a sensitivemarker of male fertility. Analysis of serum inhibin B reflects the relationship between inhibin B, Sertolicell function and spermatogenesis. Methods: This validation study was conducted to calculate thesensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of serum inhibin B in diagnosis of maleinfertility, using semen analysis as the gold standard. One hundred and sixty men were included in thestudy, they reported for semen analysis for evaluation of male infertility. Sperm count was done perstandard procedure. Serum inhibin B level was determined by ELISA. Results: Serum inhibin B level80 ρg/ml was regarded as a normal response. The serum inhibin B test had 75% sensitivity, 93.1%specificity, 80.5% PPV and 90.7% NPV. Conclusion: Serum inhibin B has a positive correlation withsperm counts and could be used for evaluation of male infertility as a non-invasive predictor ofspermatogenesis. The sensitivity, specificity and PPV are appropriate for clinical decision making andto avoid unnecessary testicular biopsies.Keywords: Inhibin B, male infertility, sensitivity, specificity, predictive valuesReferences
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