Reproduction: inhibin B feedback: practice question

A Physiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Physiology · Reproduction: inhibin B feedback

Sample item

A 31-year-old infertile man has azoospermia and small testes. FSH is markedly raised while LH and testosterone are normal. Loss of which Sertoli cell product best explains the raised FSH?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Inhibin B

Sertoli cells secrete inhibin B, which selectively suppresses FSH from the pituitary. When the seminiferous epithelium is damaged, inhibin B falls and FSH rises while Leydig cell function, LH and testosterone remain normal.

Option by option

  • A. Inhibin B (correct)

    Correct. Falling inhibin B removes selective negative feedback on FSH.

  • B. Anti-Mullerian hormone

    Anti-Mullerian hormone acts in fetal ductal development and does not regulate FSH in this way.

  • C. Androgen-binding protein

    Androgen-binding protein carries testosterone within the tubules and is not the feedback signal for FSH.

  • D. Activin

    Activin stimulates FSH, so loss of activin would lower FSH.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is A, Inhibin B. Sertoli cells secrete inhibin B, which selectively suppresses FSH from the pituitary.

Why is "Anti-Mullerian hormone" not the answer?

Anti-Mullerian hormone acts in fetal ductal development and does not regulate FSH in this way.

Why is "Androgen-binding protein" not the answer?

Androgen-binding protein carries testosterone within the tubules and is not the feedback signal for FSH.

Why is "Activin" not the answer?

Activin stimulates FSH, so loss of activin would lower FSH.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Reproduction: inhibin B feedback in Physiology. When the seminiferous epithelium is damaged, inhibin B falls and FSH rises while Leydig cell function, LH and testosterone remain normal.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Reproduction: inhibin B feedback?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.