Testicular Sertoli cell function in ankylosing spondylitis

Clin Rheumatol. 2013 Jul;32(7):1075-9. doi: 10.1007/s10067-013-2215-5. Epub 2013 Feb 17.

Abstract

To assess the testicular Sertoli cell function according to inhibin B levels in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients and the possible effect of anti-TNF therapy on this hormone production, 20 consecutive AS patients and 24 healthy controls were evaluated. At study entry, AS patients were not receiving sulfasalazine/methotrexate and never have used biological/cytotoxic agents. They were assessed by serum inhibin B levels, hormone profile, urological examination, testicular ultrasound, seminal parameters, and clinical features. Ten of these patients received anti-TNF treatment and they were reevaluated for Sertoli function and disease parameters at 6 months. Four of them agreed to repeat sperm analysis. At study entry, the median of inhibin B (68 vs. 112.9 pg/mL, p = 0.111), follicle-stimulating hormone levels (3.45 vs. 3.65 IU/L, p = 0.795), and the other hormones was comparable in AS patients and controls (p > 0.05). Sperm analysis was similar in AS patients and controls (p > 0.05) with one AS patient presenting borderline low inhibin B levels. Further analysis at 6 months of the 10 patients referred for anti-TNF therapy, including one with borderline inhibin B, revealed that median inhibin B levels remained stable (116.5 vs. 126.5 pg/mL, p = 0.431) with a significant improvement in C-reactive protein (27.8 vs. 2.27 mg/L, p = 0.039). Sperm motility and concentration were preserved in the four patients who repeated this analysis after TNF blockage. In conclusion, this was the first study to report, using a specific marker, a normal testicular Sertoli cell function in AS patients with mild to moderate disease activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Blood Sedimentation
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Fertility
  • Humans
  • Inhibins / blood*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Semen / metabolism
  • Sertoli Cells / diagnostic imaging
  • Sertoli Cells / physiology*
  • Spermatozoa / pathology*
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / blood
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / physiopathology*
  • Testis / diagnostic imaging
  • Testis / pathology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Ultrasonography
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • inhibin B
  • Inhibins
  • C-Reactive Protein