Suppression of the high endogenous levels of plasma FSH in infertile men are associated with improved Sertoli cell function as reflected by elevated levels of plasma inhibin B

• Published in: Human reproduction (Oxford) Vol. 19; no. 6; pp. 1431 - 1437
• Main Authors: Foresta, C., Bettella, A., Spolaore, D., Merico, M., Rossato, M., Ferlin, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.06.2004; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Chorionic Gonadotropin - therapeutic use; desensitization/FSH treatment/inhibin B/male infertility/Sertoli cell function; Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology; Follicle Stimulating Hormone - antagonists & inhibitors; Follicle Stimulating Hormone - blood; Follicle Stimulating Hormone - therapeutic use; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone - agonists; Humans; Infertility, Male - blood; Infertility, Male - drug therapy; Infertility, Male - physiopathology; Inhibins - blood; Leuprolide - adverse effects; Leuprolide - therapeutic use; Male; Osmolar Concentration; Prospective Studies; Recombinant Proteins - therapeutic use; Sertoli Cells; desensitization/FSH treatment/inhibin B/male infertility/Sertoli cell function; Human; Sertoli cell; Cell function; Inhibin; Gonadotropin; Testicle; Male genital system; Vertebrata; Endogenous; Mammalia; Adenohypophyseal hormone; Follicle stimulating hormone

BACKGROUND. In vitro continuous stimulation of Sertoli cells with FSH leads to a desensitization of these cells to FSH action. To evaluate the presence of a desensitization of FSH receptor on Sertoli cells in vivo, we performed a controlled clinical study in 97 men affected by severe oligozoospermia...