Inhibin B/FSH Ratio as a Predictor of Testicular Pathology in NOA

NCT07415928 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2025/12-24
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 73
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This retrospective observational study evaluated the diagnostic and predictive value of serum Inhibin B (INHB), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and the INHB/FSH ratio in differentiating histopathological subtypes of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) in men undergoing microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE). Seventy-three patients treated at a single tertiary referral center between January 2023 and September 2025 were included. Hormonal parameters were assessed preoperatively, and histopathological findings were categorized into five groups (SCOS, EMA, LMA, HSG, NS). The INHB/FSH ratio demonstrated significant discriminative ability across histopathological patterns and showed strong predictive performance in ROC and regression analyses. These findings suggest that the INHB/FSH ratio may serve as a practical, non-invasive biomarker for estimating testicular pathology severity in NOA patients.

Conditions

Azoospermia, Nonobstructive; Non-obstructive Azoospermia

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Micro-TESE Sperm Retrieval Outcome

  Successful sperm retrieval defined as the presence of spermatozoa on microscopic examination, and its association with histopathological classification and serum hormone levels.

  During micro-TESE procedure (intraoperative assessment)

Study Arms (5)

Early Maturation Arrest (EMA)

Patients diagnosed with early maturation arrest based on testicular histopathological evaluation.

Late Maturation Arrest (LMA)

Patients diagnosed with late maturation arrest according to histopathological findings.

Hypospermatogenesis (HS)

Patients with histopathologically confirmed hypospermatogenesis.

Normospermatogenesis (NS)

Patients with normal spermatogenesis on histopathological examination.

Sertoli Cell-Only Syndrome (SCOS)

Patients diagnosed with Sertoli cell-only syndrome based on testicular biopsy findings.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult male patients diagnosed with non-obstructive azoospermia who underwent micro-TESE at a tertiary referral center and had available histopathological and hormonal evaluation data.

You may qualify if:

• Male patients who underwent micro-TESE for non-obstructive azoospermia
• Available histopathological evaluation of testicular tissue
• Available preoperative serum hormone measurements (FSH, LH, testosterone, Inhibin B)

You may not qualify if:

• Incomplete clinical, hormonal, or histopathological data
• Previous testicular malignancy
• History of chemotherapy or radiotherapy affecting spermatogenesis

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Elazıg Fethi Sekin Sehir Hastanesi: lead

Study Sites (1)

Elazığ Fethi Sekin City Hospital

Elâzığ, 23100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Azoospermia, Nonobstructive

Study Officials

• Sezai Oğraş

  Elazığ Fethi Sekin City Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: RETROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Specialist Physician

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 10, 2026
• First Posted: February 17, 2026
• Study Start: January 10, 2026
• Primary Completion: February 2, 2026
• Study Completion: February 5, 2026
• Last Updated: February 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

TU (1)