Evaluation of testicular hormones in obese adolescent males

Abstract EN

Background: Previous studies have suggested an association between obesity and testicular function.

Aim to Investigate the effect of obesity on testicular function by evaluating the reproductive hormones inhibin B and INSL3.

Subjects and Methods: This study was a case control study carried out in the "Obesity Clinic of the Diabetes Endocrine and Metabolism Pediatric Unit (DEMFU)", Pediatric Hospital, Cairo University.

It included sixty adolescent males complaining of obesity (BMI ≥ 95 percentile) along with twenty normal subjects (BMI= 15-< 85 percentile) matched for age and sex as a control group.

Their age was ranged from 12 to 18 years with Tanner stage from 2 to 4.

Anthropometric assessment; weight and height; ware recorded, and BMI was calculated Laboratory investigations: inhibin B and INSL3 were measured.

Results: Obese boys had significant higher values in BMI and Insulin growth factor 3 (p= 0.001), and significant lower value of Inhibin B than the control normal group.

BMI had significant positive correlations with lNL 3 (p= 0.000) and significant negative correlation with inhibin B(p= 0.004).

Conclusion: Obesity is associated with increased INL3 (marker of Leydig cell function) and decreased inhibin B (marker of testicular Sertoli cell).

Moreover, inhibin B had significant negative correlation with INL3.