Chemistry and physiology of inhibin--a review.

Several reports have appeared on the presence of inhibin, the second testicular hormone postulated by McCullagh, in such sources as testicular extracts, seminal plasma, rete testis fluid, spermatozoa as well as ovarian follicular fluid. The resurgence, in recent years, of interest in the physiology of inhibin is reviewed in the historical perspective of earlier work. This survey presents an outline of the general findings on the nature and characterization of this substance. Studies relating to its exact site of production as well as its site of action are briefly described and discussed.