Seminal plasma levels of anti-Müllerian hormone and inhibin B are not predictive of testicular sperm retrieval in nonobstructive azoospermia: a study of 139 men

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the seminal levels of the Sertoli anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B in the testicular sperm extraction (TESE) in nonobstructive azoospermia.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Reproductive biology division in a university hospital.

Patient(s): One hundred thirty-nine men.

Intervention(s): Men were classified on the basis of positive and negative TESE.

Main outcome measure(s): Seminal levels of AMH and inhibin B, serum levels of FSH and inhibin B, testicular volume, sperm retrieval, and spermatogenesis.

Result(s): The mean serum FSH and inhibin B concentrations were 21.4 IU/L and 54.68 pg/mL. Spermatozoa were retrieved in 43.17% of the men. Mean seminal AMH and inhibin B concentrations were 12.06±37.30 pmol/L and 142.72±950.91 pmol/L, respectively. Seminal AMH and inhibin B levels were simultaneously undetectable in 35.97% of subjects. Seminal plasma levels of AMH and inhibin B were positively correlated, as were seminal and serum inhibin B concentrations. The successful and failed TESE groups did not differ significantly in terms of either AMH or inhibin B seminal plasma concentrations. Combining the latter parameters with the serum FSH level did not improve the predictive value for successful TESE. The presence or absence of germ cells did not have a statistically significant relationship with seminal plasma AMH and inhibin B concentrations.

Conclusion(s): There is no value in seminal plasma levels of AMH and inhibin B as criteria for sperm extraction in men with nonobstructive azoospermia.