Serum inhibin in fertile women during menstrual cycle and its correlativity with follicle stimulating hormone

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1005-2216.2001.01.007

Abstract：Objective To explore the changes of serum inhibin(INH)in fertile women during menstrual cycle and study the correlativities between INH and follicle stimulating hormone(FSH), luteinizing hormone(LH), estradiol(E2 ) and progesterone(P). Methods We established a modified INH radioimmunoassay(RIA)and then detected serum INH level dynamically during follicular, peri - ovulation, and mid - luteal phases in 39 fertile women and in 16 menopausal women. Serum FSH, LH, E2 and P contents were measured simultaneously. Their relation were analysed statistically. Re sults Serum INH changed regularly during menstrual cycle. It increased gradually from the follicular phase and reached the peak value during mid - luteal phase. INH was significantly negatively correlated with FSH during follicular and luteal phase, rs = - 0.483, P ＜ 0.01; but there was no correlativity during peri - ovulation phase, P ＞ 0.05. During fol licular phase, positive correlativity existed between INH and E2, r = 0.39, P ＜ 0.05; it became more remarkable during peri- ovulation phase, r = 0.47, P ＜ 0.05. There was no correlation between INH and LH, P ＞ 0.05. During mid luteal phase, significantly positive correlativity existed between INH and P, r = 0.68, P ＜ 0.01; but no correlation exist ed between INH and E2, P ＞ 0.05. Conclusion Inhibin has an important effect on the regulation of physiological pro cess of menstrual cycle, especially the inhibitory effect on production and secretion of FSH from pituitary gland, the ex plicit mechanism needs to be investigated furthermore. The modified INH RIA established the foundation of clinical re search of INH.