Inhibin: Definition and Overview in 2020

Diseases and Condition
Written by admin
September 2, 2020

Inhibin’s are multifunctional molecules included in the direction of pituitary FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) secretion. The inhibin inhibits FSH composition in both males and females.

The whole mechanism of inhibin differs both in males and female and it inhibits FSH production. To know between these two, you need to know the process of each in detail.

Inhibin’s are the proteins and in males, it is secreted from the Sertoli cells. Androgen excites inhibin production and this regulates spermatogenesis.

On the other hand, in females, it is produced in the corpus luteum, placenta, pituitary glands, gonads, and other organs. FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) excites the secretion of the protein from the granulosa cells of the ovarian follicles in the ovaries. Moreover, the secretion of inhibin is diminished by GnRH.

Contents

Inhibin Definition

Inhibin is already discussed briefly in detail above. Now, we will discuss the definition of inhibin. One of two hormones secreted by the gonads and that inhibits the production of follicle-stimulating hormones by the pituitary hormone.

Inhibin and Activin are the two closely related protein complexes and that have opposite biological effects. As we discussed above, it inhibits follicle-stimulating hormone secretion and follicle-stimulating hormone synthesis.

The activin and inhibin are both dimeric in structure. Moreover, both the monomers are associated with one another by a unique disulphide bond.

Clinical Significance of Inhibin

Inhibin is part of the fetal quad screen that can be determined during pregnancy at a gestational age of sixteen to eighteen weeks. It is used as a marker for ovarian cancer.

It is used as a stamp of male infertility and spermatogenesis function. These involves competing with activin. There are two inhibins i.e., inhibin A and inhibin B and it inhibits FSH secretion.

Abstract

It has been more than 70 years since the name ‘inhibin’ was used to represent a substance that originated in the gonads that negatively regulates pituitary excretion.

The reproductive process of human is regulated by the complex mechanisms that consist of several organs such as endocrine systems, gonads, brain, etc.

Inhibin is used in several clinics and for other purposes as well. Inhibins are produced by fetal membranes and placenta. It has major functions that are described above.

The Final Thoughts

Now, you got a clear idea about inhibin and how it differs both in males and females. The physiological role of inhibin has been assessed by immunoneutralization experiments and during the isolation of inhibin, a new amount of proteins were found that possess FSH stimulating activity in pituitary cells.

Therefore, this is all about inhibin and its activity that you must know in 2020. If you have any doubts regarding this, please feel free to ask in the comment section below.