Related Experiment Videos
Circulating immunoreactive inhibin levels during the normal human menstrual cycle.
R I McLachlan1, D M Robertson, D L Healy
1Medical Research Centre, Prince Henry's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|November 1, 1987
Summary
Serum inhibin levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle, correlating with estradiol and progesterone. These findings suggest inhibin plays a key role in regulating follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Hormone Assays
- Gynecology
Background:
- Serum inhibin concentrations are crucial indicators of ovarian function.
- Understanding inhibin's role in the menstrual cycle is vital for reproductive health research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure daily serum inhibin concentrations throughout the menstrual cycle in normal women.
- To investigate the relationship between inhibin, estradiol, progesterone, and gonadotropins (LH and FSH).
Main Methods:
- Daily serum inhibin levels were measured using a specific radioimmunoassay (RIA).
- Measurements were taken throughout one complete menstrual cycle in six normal women.
- Hormone levels were analyzed for correlations and patterns.
Main Results:
- Inhibin levels were detectable throughout the menstrual cycle.
- Late follicular phase inhibin rose with estradiol, peaking with LH and FSH surges.
- Luteal phase inhibin peaked post-LH surge, correlating positively with progesterone and inversely with FSH.
- An inverse relationship between inhibin and FSH was observed in the follicular and luteal phases.
Conclusions:
- Circulating inhibin is present throughout the normal menstrual cycle.
- Inhibin appears to be a product of the maturing follicle and the corpus luteum.
- Inhibin's inverse relationship with FSH suggests a role in feedback regulation of FSH secretion.