Serum anti-Müllerian hormone is more strongly related to ovarian follicular status than serum inhibin B, estradiol, FSH and LH on day 3.
BACKGROUND
The study aim was to compare the relationship between serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels and other markers of ovarian function with early antral follicle count on day 3.


METHODS
A total of 75 infertile women was studied prospectively. On cycle day 3, serum levels of AMH, inhibin B, estradiol (E(2)), FSH and LH levels were measured, and the number of early antral follicles (2-10 mm in diameter) estimated at ultrasound scanning to compare the strengths of hormonal-follicular correlations.


RESULTS
Median (range) serum levels of AMH, inhibin B, E(2), FSH and LH were 1.39 ng/ml (0.24-6.40), 90 (16-182) pg/ml, 31 (15-111) pg/ml, 7.0 (2.9-19.3) mIU/ml and 4.7 (1.2-11.7) mIU/ml respectively, and follicular count was 12 (1-35). Serum AMH levels were more strongly correlated (P < 0.001) with follicular count (r = 0.74, P < 0.0001) than were serum levels of inhibin B (r = 0.29, P < 0.001), E(2) (r = -0.08, P = NS), FSH (r = -0.29, P < 0.001) and LH (r = 0.05, P = NS).


CONCLUSIONS
Serum AMH levels were more robustly correlated with the number of early antral follicles than inhibin B, E(2), FSH and LH on cycle day 3. This suggests that AMH may reflect ovarian follicular status better than the usual hormone markers.
Fanchin
Renato
R
Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Clamart, France, and Biochemistry and. Hormonology, Paris and Clamart, France.
Schonäuer
Luca Maria
LM
Righini
Claudia
C
Guibourdenche
Jean
J
Frydman
René
R
Taieb
Joëlle
J
D000328:Adult; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013735:Testicular Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
D006023:Glycoproteins; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D013735:Testicular Hormones; C422364:inhibin B; D004958:Estradiol; D007265:Inhibins; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone