Inhibin B Test:
Why inhibin B Test?
CLINICAL INFORMATION
Inhibins are heterodimeric protein hormones secreted by granulosa cells of the ovary in females (it acts primarily to inhibit the secretion of the follicle-stimulating hormone by the anterior pituitary gland) and Sertoli cells of the testis in males. Inhibin B is a hormone produced by the ovaries in females and by the testicles in males. Inhibin B is associated with reproduction and the development of eggs in women and sperm in men. The function of inhibin is to selectively suppress the secretion of pituitary Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). The dimer with two homologous subunits of inhibin namely an alpha subunit or beta subunit forms inhibin A and inhibin B respectively. In females serum inhibin A and B levels fluctuate during the menstrual cycle. In women, inhibin A is synthesized by a dominant follicle and corpus luteum, while inhibin B is produced by the small developing follicles. Inhibin A is low in the early follicular phase and gradually increases to its peak during ovulation in the middle of the luteal (mid-phase) phase. On the other hand, inhibin B levels increase in the early follicular phase but gradually the levels drop during the mid and late follicular phase (FSH levels decline). Inhibin A and inhibin B tests are performed to detect patients with infertility investigations, unexplained infertility etc. Moreover, Inhibin B serves as a suitable serum marker for epithelial and mucinous type cell tumours (i.egranulosa cell tumours and mucinous epithelial ovarian tumours). This test also helps to assess ovarian reserve and aids to screen in prognosis such as medication with Clomid (ovulation-inducing drugs) etc. Thus this inhibin hormone is a useful tool to identify the potential ovarian responsiveness to ovulation induction. High inhibin B suggests the presence of more ovarian follicles (on day 3 of the menstrual cycle), whereas in males it is considered a good marker of spermatogenisis. While a low inhibin B (on day 3 of the menstrual cycle) suggests a declining ovarian reserve in females. Other associated tests in females (for infertility evaluation) include the FSH test (since FSH in the brain triggers egg follicles to grow in the ovary), estradiol blood test, anti-mullerian hormone test, imaging studies etc.
General Instructions:
Sample Requirement: Specimen - Blood sample collected from the vein. Test Preparation: Suggestions from the Doctor.
NOTE - Sample for specimen collections may vary based on the patient’s condition/cases according to the patient’s presenting complaints/signs or symptoms:
SPECIMEN REQUIREMENT (Special or Rare Cases) - As instructed and guided by Physician / Clinician / Pathologist / as per Laboratory’s requirements, according to procedures and protocols.
This Multi-Specialty Clinical Referral Laboratory RT DIAGNOSTICS provides precise and accurate tests with an extensive range of testing services to the medical centres to help in the diagnosis and identification of pathology in the test specimens for infectious diseases and also to evaluate the function of organ systems of the patient. It prevents further complications and helps to stabilize and restore health to near normalcy at the earliest without delay.
