Erschienen in:
Andrology, 9 (2021) 6, Seite 1781-1789
Sprache:
Englisch
DOI:
10.1111/andr.13059
ISSN:
2047-2919;
2047-2927
Entstehung:
Anmerkungen:
Beschreibung:
AbstractBackgroundAnti‐Müllerian hormone and inhibin B are produced by Sertoli cells. Anti‐Müllerian hormone secretion indicates an immature Sertoli cell state. Inhibin B serves as a marker of male fertility. Identification of markers reflecting the presence of germ cells is of particular relevance in trans persons undergoing gender‐affirming hormone therapy in order to offer individualized fertility preservation methods.ObjectivesSerum and intratesticular inhibin B and anti‐Müllerian hormone values were assessed and related to clinical features, laboratory values, and germ cell numbers.Materials and methodsTwenty‐two trans women from three clinics were included. As gender‐affirming hormone therapy, 10–12.5 mg of cyproterone acetate plus estrogens were administered. Height, weight, age, medication, and treatment duration were inquired by questionnaires. Serum luteinizing hormone, follicle‐stimulating hormone, testosterone, and estradiol were measured by immuno‐assays. Serum and intratesticular inhibin B and anti‐Müllerian hormone were measured by commercially available ELISAs. Spermatogonia were quantified as spermatogonia per cubic millimeter testicular tissue applying a morphometric analysis of two independent testicular cross‐sections per individual after MAGEA4 immunostaining.ResultsPatients with high inhibin B levels presented with a higher number of spermatogonia (*p < 0.05). Furthermore, mean serum inhibin B was associated with low age (*p < 0.05), low follicle‐stimulating hormone (*p < 0.05), and low testosterone (*p < 0.05). Serum anti‐Müllerian hormone, however, was not related to spermatogonial numbers. It correlated with high testosterone (*p < 0.05) and high follicle‐stimulating hormone (*p < 0.05) only. High intratesticular inhibin B was accompanied by high luteinizing hormone (*p < 0.05), high follicle‐stimulating hormone (**p < 0.01), and high testosterone levels (**p < 0.01). Higher the intratesticular anti‐Müllerian hormone levels, the longer gender‐affirming hormone therapy was administered (*p < 0.05).Discussion and conclusionSerum inhibin B levels indicate the presence of spermatogonia, whereas anti‐Müllerian hormone seems not to be a reliable marker concerning germ cell abundance.