Serum Inhibin-B and FSH Levels in Male Polymer Production Workers

摘要

Evaluation of exposure-related effects on male fertility is problematic. Semen samples are difficult to obtain in industrial settings and quality measures (sperm counts and motility) are highly variable within subjects and between fertile and infertile men. Recent studies have demonstrated that serum levels of Inhibin-B, a Sertoli cell secretory protein, are suppressed in the presence of testicular injury. At the present time, serum Inhibin-B levels have not been used to evaluate potential testicular injury due to occupational exposures to male reproductive toxins. Inhibin-B suppresses secretion of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). This study analyzed levels of Inhibin-B and FSH in stored specimens from workers exposed to potential male reproductive toxins at polymer production plant in the mid-1970s. The prevalence of workers with abnormal levels in different exposure groups were analyzed independently and using a combined criterion. Using logistic regression and non-parametric statistic methods we also evaluated the effect of specific exposure measures on these tests and the predictive value of these tests on reproductive outcomes.