Depletion of ovarian reserve in young women after treatment for cancer in childhood: detection by anti-Müllerian hormone, inhibin B and ovarian ultrasound.
BACKGROUND
Treatment of cancer during childhood may result in loss of primordial follicles from the ovary.


METHODS
Ten cancer survivors and 11 controls with regular menstrual cycles, in addition to 10 cancer survivors and 10 controls taking the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) were recruited. Subjects were investigated on days 3-5 of a menstrual cycle, or week 3 of COCP administration before and 24 h after administration of 225 IU FSH.


RESULTS
Serum FSH levels were elevated in cancer survivors with regular menstrual cycles (7.5 +/- 1.4 versus 4.2 +/- 0.3 IU/l; P = 0.02), while anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels were lower (13.0 +/- 3.0 versus 21.0 +/- 3.4 pmol/l; P < 0.05). Other hormone levels were unchanged. Ovarian volume was smaller in cancer survivors than controls (3.0 +/- 0.5 versus 5.0 +/- 0.8 ml; P < 0.05), but antral follicle count (AFC) was similar. During COCP administration, inhibin B remained undetectable in six cancer survivors after FSH administration, whereas all controls showed a rise in inhibin B levels. The AFC was lower in cancer survivors than in controls (4.2 +/- 0.8 versus 7.2 +/- 0.8; P = 0.02). Ovarian volume was low in both groups, but did not differ between them.


CONCLUSIONS
The study results demonstrate both hormonal and biophysical evidence of partial loss of the ovarian reserve in young cancer survivors. This was detected both in women with normal menstrual cycles and during COCP administration.
Bath
L E
LE
Department of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. Louise.Bath@luht.scot.nhs.uk
Wallace
W H B
WH
Shaw
M P
MP
Fitzpatrick
C
C
Anderson
R A
RA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood; D006728:Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism*; D017741:Survivors; D013735:Testicular Hormones / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006728:Hormones; D013735:Testicular Hormones; C422364:inhibin B; D007265:Inhibins; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone