Inhibins are glycoprotein hormones of which there are two molecular forms, inhibin
A and inhibin B. Classically, inhibin is known to have a negative feedback effect
on pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone secretion. The fetoplacental unit produces
inhibin throughout pregnancy. Inhibin A is the predominant molecular form of inhibin
in maternal circulation from 4 weeks of gestation. Although the precise biological
function of inhibin A in pregnancy is unclear, it is evident from recent studies that
inhibin A could be a better marker of placental function than human chorionic gonadotropin
because of its shorter half-life. The possible clinical applications for the measurement
of inhibin A in early pregnancy could be in predicting miscarriage, Down's syndrome,
preeclampsia, and fetal growth restriction in the first and/or second trimester before
the onset of the clinical symptoms. The source of inhibins, factors controlling inhibin
production, the possible functions of inhibin, and the use of inhibin measurement
in normal and high-risk pregnancy are reviewed.
KEYWORDS
Inhibin - pregnancy - preeclampsia - placenta - miscarriage
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Shanthi MuttukrishnaB.Sc. Ph.D.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Free University College Medical School
86-96 Chenies Mews, London WC1E 6HX, United Kingdom
