Serum Levels of Male Oligospermia Glycoconjugate Inhibin B Hormone and A - L - Fucose in Kurdistani ( Iraq ) Populations

Abstract

Objectives-To assess the role of inhibin B in the evaluation of male factor infertility as a prospective study. To determine normative levels of inhibin B and examine levels in relationship to FSH, sperm count, and motility in a cohort of fertile and infertile men from the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Materials and methods-Semen analysis was performed according to World Health Organization guidelines. An ELISA technique were applied for serum levels of inhibin B (ng/L), LH (mIU/L), FSH (mIU/L), and testosterone (ng/ml) assays. A colorimetric procedure was followed for the fucose and protein bound fucose levels determination. Results-A total of 55 infertile (oligospermia) and 87 presenting for fertility (normal) evaluations were recruited. The mean serum inhibin B level was significantly (P<0.05) lower in the oligospermia (18 ng/L) than normal group (24 ng/L). No significant differences were found in determination levels of fucose in both groups. Serum FSH and LH levels were significantly higher in oligospermia than in normal. Conclusion-Inhibin B levels in fertile men and infertile men in Kurdistan region were similar but not identical to those reported in other geographic regions. Both inhibin B and FSH are useful markers of spermatogenesis. Index Term-Inhibin B, FSH, LH, fucose, male infertility,