Does inhibin-B help us to confidently refuse diagnostic testicular biopsy in azoospermia?

In the recent years, the use of laboratory blood factors such as FSH and inhibin-B for the assessment of spermatogenesis in different studies has increased; of course, the conflicting results have also been achieved. To investigate if the measurement of inhibin-B can help surgeon to reduce unnecessary diagnostic testicular biopsies in males with azoospermia. This cross-sectional study was done during July 2006 to September 2007 on 41 patients with azoospermia. FSH and inhibin-B were measured and bilateral open testicular biopsy was performed for all patients. Sperm was seen in 29% of biopsies that in 100% of these samples inhibin-B was more than 100 pg/mL and FSH was less than twice the normal [p=0.001]. Inhibin-B had significant correlation inversely with testicular fibrosis and Sertoli cell only syndrome [p=0.043 and p=0.011, respectively] and directly with incomplete spermatocytic maturation arrest and obstructive azoospermia [p=0.027 and p=0.013, respectively]. FSH was only correlated with obstructive azoospermia [p=0.001]. We suggest that if FSH is less than twice the normal, inhibin-B should be measured and if its level is less than 100 pg/mL, we can cancel about the half of unnecessary diagnostic testicular biopsies

Study the effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on some blood serum's lipoproteins, liver enzymes and P448/P450 cytochrome enzyme system in NMRI female mice

Arterial diseases are the first causes of death in the developed countries. It seems necessary to investigate the role of enzymes, lipids, proteins and para-oxidation lipids in these diseases. The tribulation of fats is one of the most risk factors which results in atherosclerosis of coronary arteries. In this study, the short time effects of Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields with the frequency of 50Hz, on the amount of some blood lipo-proteins, liver enzymes, P448 and P450 cytochrome enzyme system are investigated in the NMRI female mice. The results indicate that the blood serum's levels of lipoproteins decrease significantly, in comparison with control and sham groups [P<0.05]. Experimental groups of 3 and 5 showed significant increase of HDL compare with control and sham groups [P<0.001]. While levels of Aspartate aminotransferase [AST] increased in liver, Alanin aminotransferase [ALT] enzyme levels did not show any significant changes in experimental groups [P<0.01]. In addition, Ames test shows similarity in control and experimental liver extract in the reveres colonies, so the electromagnetic field with intensity of 0.06 militesla [P<0.01], does not disturb the P448/P450 enzyme system