Inhibin is a glycoprotein, a member of the transforming
growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily. Inhibin is secreted
mainly from the gonads and inhibits follicle-stimulating
hormone (FSH) secretion from the anterior pituitary and
in turn regulates gonadal function and development. The presence of FSH-inhibiting activity had been
reported in the gonads since the 1970s, and the FSHinhibiting factor “inhibin” was first isolated in 1985 from
porcine1 and bovine follicular fluid.
