Serum anti-Mullerian hormone throughout the human menstrual cycle.
BACKGROUND
The anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF) superfamily. In women, AMH serum levels can be almost undetectable at birth, with a subtle increase noted after puberty. Data are lacking with regard to menstrual cycle day-to-day fluctuations. This longitudinal study was designed to investigate the pattern of secretion of AMH throughout the menstrual cycle in regularly cycling women.


METHODS
Twelve healthy female subjects aged 18-24 years participated in this study. Blood samples were taken every other day throughout one menstrual cycle. Serum FSH, LH, estradiol (E(2)), progesterone, inhibin B and AMH levels were assayed by double-antibody radioimmunoassay using commercial kits.


RESULTS
Serum AMH in the first days of the menstrual cycle (days -14 to -12) was 3.8 +/- 1.2 ng/ml (mean +/- SD). No significant changes were observed in serum AMH levels throughout the menstrual cycle. The highest value was 3.9 +/- 1.3 ng/ml at day -12 and the lowest value was 3.4 +/- 1.1 ng/ml at day 14, and the difference was not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, we demonstrated that serum AMH levels do not change significantly throughout the menstrual cycle. Hence, AMH exhibits a relatively stable expression during the menstrual cycle, making it an attractive determinant of ovarian activity.
La Marca
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Mother-Infant Department, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
Stabile
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Artenisio
A Carducci
AC
Volpe
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D000328:Adult; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood*; D013735:Testicular Hormones / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D006023:Glycoproteins; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006062:Gonadotropins; D010455:Peptides; D013735:Testicular Hormones; C029311:serum sodium transport inhibitor; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone