The effect of obesity on testicular function by insulin-like factor 3, inhibin B, and leptin concentrations in obese adolescents according to pubertal stages

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2010

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Objectives: The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of obesity on testicular function by evaluating reproductive hormones, inhibinB, insulin-like 3(INSL3), and leptin, in obese and non-obese adolescents according to pubertal Tanner stages. Design and methods: Eighty adolescent boys were grouped (n=20) as; Group1: obese-Tanner2, Group2: non-obese-Tanner2, Group3: obese-Tanner4, Group4: non-obese-Tanner4. Serum INSL3, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, total testosterone, free testosterone, estradiol, sex hormone binding globulin, inhibin B and leptin levels were assessed in all groups. Results: INSL3 levels were significantly lower in obese adolescents compared to non-obese boys (p=0.003, Tanner2) and (p=0.031, Tanner4). There was a negative correlation between INSL3 and leptin (r=-0.468, p=0.001). The negative correlation between INSL3 and BMISDS indicates that pubertal obesity leads to Leydig cell impairment. Conclusions: This study demonstrated for the first time in the literature that obesity effects testicular Leydig cell function starting from Tanner stage 2. © 2010.

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