[Inhibins in woman's hypofertility: practical interest].

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Endocrinology
• Hormone Assays
• Infertility Diagnostics

Context:

• Inhibin B measurement is increasingly utilized for female hypofertility diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
• The clinical utility of inhibin B in evaluating ovarian reserve and guiding ovarian stimulation is under ongoing investigation.
• Existing literature presents controversial findings regarding the diagnostic and prognostic value of inhibin B.

Purpose:

• To review and assess the relevance of inhibin B measurements in the evaluation of ovarian reserve.
• To determine the pertinence of inhibin B in the follow-up of ovarian stimulation treatments.
• To explore the potential role of Inhibin A in reproductive research.

Summary:

• While inhibin B assay may not consistently offer discriminant input in borderline cases already assessed by age, FSH, estradiol, and antral follicle count, recent studies indicate its value in enhancing ovarian reserve evaluation, particularly within the EFORT test.
• Plasma inhibin B assays during stimulation protocols do not appear to provide significant complementary information for routine therapeutic follow-up due to the lack of rapid assay availability.
• Inhibin A is currently limited to research protocols, with further investigation needed to establish its accuracy as a marker for luteal phase regulation and implantation.

Impact:

• Provides a critical overview of inhibin B's role in clinical practice and research.
• Highlights the evolving understanding of inhibin B as a biomarker for ovarian reserve.
• Identifies areas for future research, particularly concerning Inhibin A and implantation mechanisms.