Inhibins and activins in blood: Predictors of female reproductive health?

Inhibins A and B are gonadal factors which are important in fertility. Their use as predictors of female reproductive health has centred on their application to ovarian cancer, Anorexia Nervosa, Down Syndrome and preeclampsia. Inhibin B also provides an index of the endocrine feedback relationship between the ovary and pituitary particularly when the ovarian follicle reserve is low. These applications are relevant in monitoring the onset of the menopause transition, ovarian recovery following chemotherapy and disturbances in pubertal development. Currently, these applications have only found widespread use in Down Syndrome and ovarian cancer. Activins, on the other hand, appear to have a limited application. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.