Serum levels of inhibin B in adolescents after varicocelelectomy: A long term follow up

• Main Authors: Molinaro Francesco, Cerchia Elisa, Garzi Alfredo, Severi Francesco Maria, Angotti Rossella, Petraglia Felice, Messina Mario
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: De Gruyter 2016-01-01
• Series: Open Medicine
• Subjects: lung sparing surgery; intralobar pulmonary sequestration; pediatric thoracic surgery
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1515/med-2016-0039
• ISSN: 2391-5463

To study the impact on adult’s fertility of serum inhibin B levels in adolescent patients with idiopathic varicocele after minimally invasive surgical correction and to compare fluctuation of pituitary-testis hormonal values and testicular volumes. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was carried out on a group adolescent patients (n=60) affected by idiopathic left varicocele (group V) and compared with control adolescents (n=40) in the Paediatric Surgery Section of Siena (from June 1993 till September 2013). Inhibin B levels and testicular volume before (T0) and after at 6 and 12 months from surgery (T1 and T2) were evaluated. Results: A positive correlation between testicular growth at T1 and T2 (P<0.001) was found. Linear regression analysis showed a positive correlation between inhibin B levels and testicular volume (expressed as the sum of the right and left values) (P<0.0001). Conclusions: Inhibin B levels are a valid marker for studying the effects of varicocele on the testicular function and confirm the necessity of early surgical correction for preventing the trophic testicular damage and male infertility.