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Updated: May 14, 2026
11:11
Isolation of Sertoli Cells and Peritubular Cells from Rat Testes
Published on: February 8, 2016
Testicular Sertoli cell function in ankylosing spondylitis.
Breno Pires Almeida1, Carla Gonçalves Schahin Saad, Fernando Henrique Carlos Souza
1Division of Rheumatology of Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Clinical Rheumatology
|February 19, 2013
Summary
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients show normal testicular Sertoli cell function, indicated by inhibin B levels. Anti-TNF therapy did not negatively impact hormone production or sperm parameters in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease.
- Potential impacts of AS and its treatments on male reproductive health are not fully understood.
- Sertoli cell function is crucial for spermatogenesis and can be assessed via inhibin B levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate testicular Sertoli cell function in AS patients using inhibin B levels.
- To investigate the effect of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy on inhibin B production in AS patients.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study comparing 20 AS patients and 24 healthy controls.
- Assessment included serum inhibin B, hormone profiles, urological examination, testicular ultrasound, and seminal parameters.
- A subset of 10 AS patients receiving anti-TNF therapy were re-evaluated after 6 months.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in median inhibin B levels between AS patients and controls at baseline (68 vs. 112.9 pg/mL, p = 0.111).
- Sperm parameters were comparable between groups.
- Anti-TNF therapy maintained stable inhibin B levels and improved C-reactive protein (p = 0.039), with preserved sperm motility and concentration.
Conclusions:
- Testicular Sertoli cell function is normal in AS patients with mild to moderate disease activity.
- Anti-TNF therapy appears safe regarding inhibin B production and sperm parameters in AS patients.
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