Inhibin

Inhibin is a peptide that is an inhibitor of FSH synthesis and secretion,^[1] and participates in the regulation of the menstrual cycle.

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Structure

Inhibin contains an alpha and beta subunit linked by disulfide bonds. Two forms of inhibin differ in their beta subunits (A or B), while their alpha subunits are identical.

Inhibin belongs to the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily.

Action

In both females and males, inhibin inhibits FSH production. However, the overall mechanism differs between the genders:

In females

In women, FSH stimulates the secretion of inhibin from the granulosa cells of the ovarian follicles in ovary. In turn, inhibin suppresses FSH.

Inhibin secretion is diminished by GnRH, and enhanced by insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1).

• Inhibin B reaches a peak in the early- to mid-follicular phase, and a second peak at ovulation.

• Inhibin A reaches its peak in the mid-luteal phase.

Inhibin is produced in the gonads, pituitary gland, placenta and other organs.

In males

In men, it is a hormone that inhibits FSH production.

It is secreted from the Sertoli cells,^[2] located in the seminiferous tubule inside the testes.

Activin

Activin is a related peptide that counteracts inhibin.

Clinical significance

Quantification of inhibin A is part of the prenatal quad screen that can be administered during pregnancy at a gestational age of 16-18 weeks. An elevated inhibin A (along with an increased beta-hCG, decreased AFP, and a decreased estriol) is^[3] suggestive of the presence of a fetus with Down's syndrome. As a screening test, abnormal quad screen test results need to be followed up with more definitive tests.

It also has been used as a marker for ovarian cancer.^[4][5]

References