Anti-Mullerian Hormone and Inhibin B Levels in Obese Boys; Relations with Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Reproductive Health

Background:

• Obesity is a growing concern in adolescents, potentially impacting reproductive health.
• Sertoli cells are crucial for male reproductive function, producing key hormones like AMH and inhibin B.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate serum levels of antimullerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B in obese pubertal boys.
• To explore the relationship between these sertoli cell markers and cardiovascular risk factors, including insulin sensitivity, aortic intima media thickness (aIMT), and hsCRP.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 121 obese and 38 healthy lean adolescents.
• Measurement of serum AMH, inhibin B, gonadotropins, testosterone, lipids, hsCRP, glucose, and insulin.
• Assessment of insulin resistance using HOMA-IR and aIMT via high-resolution ultrasonography.

Main Results:

• Obese boys exhibited significantly lower AMH, inhibin B, and testosterone levels compared to lean controls.
• Increased aIMT and hsCRP levels were observed in the obese group.
• Obese boys with insulin resistance (IR) showed further decreased AMH levels and elevated triglycerides, HOMA-IR, and aIMT.

Conclusions:

• Obesity and associated insulin resistance significantly reduce sertoli cell markers (AMH and inhibin B) in pubertal boys.
• These findings suggest that obesity and IR are critical factors contributing to sertoli cell dysfunction during puberty.