TOTAL IMMUNOREACTIVE ALPHA-INHIBIN IN HUMAN SEMINAL PLASMA, SPERM QUALITY, AND IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION RATES

Objective-To assess the relationship between the concentrations of tot al immunoreactive alpha-inhibin in human seminal plasma, sperm quality and in vitro fertilization (IVF) rates. Setting-Medical school hospit al. Design-Prospective study. Patients-72 consecutive couples undergoi ng IVF with husband's sperm in which at least 4 oocytes were obtained. Main Outcome Measures-alpha-inhibin determination by means of enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay; sperm analysis for density and motility IV F rates. Results-Total immunoreactive a-inhibin levels were not correl ated with IVF rates. Nor were there any differences in fertilization r ates in the different groups. Lower inhibin levels were found in oligo zoospermic cases. Lower sperm counts were found in cases with inhibin values below the median value, and also with respect to various other cutoffs. No correlation was found between inhibin levels and any of th e sperm variables measured. Conclusion-Total immunoreactive alpha-inhi bin is not a prognostic factor in IVF cycles. However, an association was found between inhibin and sperm concentration, suggesting that alp ha-inhibin in the human seminal fluid could be a marker for some aspec ts of spermatogenesis.