help button home button Endocrine Society JCEM
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Article
Right arrow Submit a related Letter to the Editor
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Copyright Permission
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by McLachlan, R. I.
Right arrow Articles by Bremner, W. J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by McLachlan, R. I.
Right arrow Articles by Bremner, W. J.

Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 67, 1305-1308, Copyright © 1988 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Follicle-stimulating hormone is required for quantitatively normal inhibin secretion in men

RI McLachlan, AM Matsumoto, HG Burger, DM de Kretser and WJ Bremner
Gerontology Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Seattle, Washington 98108.

Inhibin is a glycoprotein hormone produced by the testis and ovary which is postulated to be an important regulator of pituitary FSH secretion. Animal data indicate that inhibin is produced by the Sertoli cells of the testis under the influence of FSH. To determine the role of FSH withdrawal and replacement in the control of inhibin secretion in man, we measured serum inhibin concentrations in men in whom isolated FSH deficiency had been produced by chronic hCG administration; this was followed by FSH replacement. After a 3-month control period, four normal men received hCG for 7 months, resulting in suppression of serum FSH to undetectable levels and urinary FSH excretion to prepubertal levels. Their mean serum inhibin levels fell to 70% of control values during hCG administration [362 +/- 60 (+/- SE) vs. 518 +/- 56 U/L; P less than 0.01]. While continuing hCG, testosterone enanthate was administered for a further 6 months. Serum FSH and inhibin levels remained suppressed to a similar degree. Testosterone administration then was ceased, and hCG continued for a further 2-4 months. Then, while continuing hCG administration, FSH was replaced as either highly purified human FSH (n = 2) or human menopausal gonadotropin (n = 2) for a period of 4-10 months. Serum FSH levels increased to the mid- and upper normal male ranges, respectively. FSH replacement restored serum inhibin levels to 522 +/- 56 U/L (P = NS vs. control). In summary, prolonged selective FSH deficiency induced by chronic hCG administration suppressed inhibin secretion. Replacement of FSH activity restored inhibin secretion to control values. We conclude that 1) FSH is not absolutely required for inhibin secretion in men; and 2) the maintenance of quantitatively normal inhibin secretion requires the combined action of both gonadotropins.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
F. H. Pierik, J. T. M. Vreeburg, T. Stijnen, F. H. de Jong, and R. F. A. Weber
Serum Inhibin B as a Marker of Spermatogenesis
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 1998; 83(9): 3110 - 3114.
[Abstract] [Full Text]

Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
S. S. Majumdar, S. J. Winters, and T. M. Plant
A Study of the Relative Roles of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone in the Regulation of Testicular Inhibin Secretion in the Rhesus Monkey (Macaca mulatta)
Endocrinology, April 1, 1997; 138(4): 1363 - 1373.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Endocrinology Endocrine Reviews J. Clin. End. & Metab.
Molecular Endocrinology Recent Prog. Horm. Res. All Endocrine Journals
Copyright © 1988 by The Endocrine Society