What is inhibin B
Inhibin B is a glycoprotein hormone secreted by the gonads, mainly produced by Sertoli cells of the testes (in men) and granulosa cells in the ovary (in women). It plays an important role in the reproductive system, especially in regulating the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and reproductive function. In recent years, the application of inhibin B in clinical medicine has gradually attracted attention, especially in infertility diagnosis and reproductive health assessment.
The following are the main functions and related data of inhibin B:

| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| Regulate FSH secretion | Inhibin B inhibits the secretion of FSH from the pituitary gland through a negative feedback mechanism, thereby maintaining reproductive hormone balance. |
| male reproductive function | In men, inhibin B levels reflect testicular function and Sertoli cell activity and are often used to assess sperm production capacity. |
| female reproductive function | In women, inhibin B levels correlate with ovarian reserve and can be used to assess follicle quantity and quality. |
Clinical significance of inhibin B
The detection of inhibin B is widely used clinically, especially in the field of reproductive medicine. The following are its main clinical applications:
| Application areas | Specific use |
|---|---|
| male infertility | Evaluate testicular function and diagnose azoospermia or oligozoospermia. |
| female infertility | Assess ovarian reserve and predict the success rate of assisted reproductive technology. |
| childhood sexual development | Monitor for precocious puberty or delayed sexual development. |
Normal reference values for inhibin B
Inhibin B levels vary by gender and age. The following are common reference ranges:
| crowd | Normal range (pg/mL) |
|---|---|
| adult male | 100-400 |
| Adult women (follicular phase) | 20-150 |
| postmenopausal women | <10 |
The difference between inhibin B and AMH
Inhibin B and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) are both important indicators for evaluating reproductive function, but they have the following differences:
| indicator | Inhibin B | AMH |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Sertoli cells/ovarian granulosa cells | Sertoli cells/ovarian granulosa cells |
| reflect function | Current follicle activity | total ovarian reserve |
| Stability | Affected by menstrual cycle | Smaller fluctuations within the cycle |
Precautions for Inhibin B Testing
The following should be noted when performing inhibin B testing:
1.Detection time: Women should test during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle (days 2-5) to obtain accurate results.
2.Influencing factors: Certain medications (such as hormone therapy) or diseases (such as polycystic ovary syndrome) may affect test results.
3.Joint testing: Usually combined with other hormones such as FSH and AMH to improve diagnostic accuracy.
Summary
Inhibin B is an important reproductive hormone that plays an irreplaceable role in the evaluation of male and female reproductive functions. By detecting inhibin B levels, doctors can more accurately diagnose infertility, evaluate ovarian or testicular function, and provide scientific basis for reproductive health management. In the future, with the deepening of research, the application fields of inhibin B may be further expanded.
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