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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Testicular Sertoli cell function in male systemic lupus erythematosus

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Author(s):
Suehiro, R. M. [1] ; Borba, E. F. [1] ; Bonfa, E. [1] ; Okay, T. S. [2] ; Cocuzza, M. [3] ; Soares, P. M. F. [1] ; Silva, C. A. A. [4]
Total Authors: 7
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Div Rheumatol, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Pediat Lab, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Div Urol, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Pediat Rheumatol Unit, Dept Pediat, Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: RHEUMATOLOGY; v. 47, n. 11, p. 1692-1697, NOV 2008.
Web of Science Citations: 34
Abstract

Objective. To assess the testicular Sertoli cell function in male SLE patients. Methods. Thirty-four consecutive patients were prospectively selected to evaluate serum inhibin B. Clinical features, treatment, semen analysis, urological evaluation, testicular ultrasound, hormones and anti-sperm antibodies were determined. Results. Patients were subdivided into two groups: low serum inhibin B (Group 1, n = 8) and normal levels (Group 2, n 26). The median sperm concentration (P = 0.024), total sperm count (P = 0.023) and total motile sperm count (P = 0.025) were lower in Group 1. Inhibin B levels were positively correlated with sperm concentration (r = 0.343), total motile sperm count (r = 0.357), and negatively correlated with follicule-stimulating hormone (FSH) (r = 0.699) and luteinizing hormone (r = 0.397). The median serum inhibin B was lower in SLE patients treated with intravenous cyclophosphamide (IVCYC) compared with those without this therapy (P = 0.031). Further evaluation of the 26 SLE patients with normal inhibin B and FSH levels revealed that medians of inhibin B/FSH ratio were lower in SLE patients with oligozoospermia compared with normozoospermia (P = 0.004). This ratio was also lower in SLE patients treated with IVCYC than those without this therapy (P = 0.04). In contrast, inhibin B serum level alone did not discriminate the later group of patients (P = 0.12). Conclusions. This is the first study to identify a high frequency of testicular Sertoli cell dysfunction in male SLE associated with semen abnormalities. Further prospective studies are necessary to determine if inhibin levels and inhibin B/FSH ratio will be an earlier and useful marker of IVCYC toxicity in these patients. (AU)