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Serum inhibin B levels before and after varicocelectomy in early adolescence

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Abstract

Background: Whereas no clear relationship has been observed between varicocelectomy and serum inhibin B levels in men, in adolescents comparison between inhibin B levels before and after varicocelectomy is lacking. Aim: To evaluate the effect of varicocele surgical treatment on inhibin B levels in adolescents at the beginning of puberty compared to a group of healthy adolescents. Subjects and methods: We studied 28 adolescents in Tanner 2 pubertal stage with a grade III left-sided varicocele (patients) compared to 13 age- and pubertal stage-matched healthy adolescents (controls). All patients underwent blood tests to determine serum inhibin B levels before and 6 months after varicocelectomy by Palomo procedure. For comparison we investigated inhibin B levels in controls and repeated this test 6 months later. Testicular ultrasound was performed for patients only. Results: Baseline inhibin B concentrations of patients and controls were 109.90±40.26 and 109.33±38.34 pg/ml, respectively. No significant changes were observed in patients’ inhibin B concentrations after varicocelectomy (116.00±42.65 pg/ml), or in controls during the 6 months’ follow-up (99.12±30.09 pg/ml). Doppler examination after treatment shows a complete resolution of varicocele in all the patients without alterations in testicular parenchyma. Conclusions: Varicocelectomy performed on adolescents at T2 pubertal stage might be useful to avoid alteration in inhibin B production and consequently in testicular function. Further studies are necessary to confirm the prognostic value of inhibin B levels and the benefit of early varicocelectomy in preserving the fertility of these adolescents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric, Department of Life and Reproduction Sciences, University of Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi, Piazzale Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy

    P. Cavarzere MD, E. Maines, M. Vincenzi, R. Gaudino, E. Monti, L. Tatò & F. Antoniazzi

  2. Division of Pediatric Surgery, Hospital of Peschiera, Verona, Italy

    M. Sulpasso & C. Chironi

Authors
  1. P. Cavarzere MD
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  2. M. Sulpasso
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  3. E. Maines
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  4. M. Vincenzi
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  5. R. Gaudino
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  6. E. Monti
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  7. C. Chironi
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  8. L. Tatò
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  9. F. Antoniazzi
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Correspondence to P. Cavarzere MD.

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Cavarzere, P., Sulpasso, M., Maines, E. et al. Serum inhibin B levels before and after varicocelectomy in early adolescence. J Endocrinol Invest 34, e265–e267 (2011). https://doi.org/10.3275/7796

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3275/7796

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