Serum anti-mullerian hormone concentrations are not altered by acute administration of follicle stimulating hormone in polycystic ovary syndrome and normal women.
BACKGROUND
In the human ovary, expression of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is detected primarily in granulosa cells of preantral and small antral follicles. This finding is consistent with the tight correlation between circulating AMH levels and the number of small antral follicles (2-5 mm) in normal and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women. In addition, the greater follicle count in PCOS is mirrored by significantly higher serum AMH levels compared with those of normal women. Despite the utility of AMH measurements in evaluating ovarian physiology and function, the regulation of AMH remains poorly understood.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to determine whether gonadotropins acutely regulate serum AMH in women with PCOS and normal women.


METHODS
We conducted a prospective study to compare ovarian responses to FSH in two groups of women.


METHODS
The study was conducted in a General Clinical Research Center in a tertiary academic medical center.


METHODS
Women with PCOS (age, 18-35 yr; n = 16) and normal ovulatory controls (age, 18-35 yr; n = 11) were recruited for study.


METHODS
Serum samples were measured over a 24-h period after an iv injection of recombinant human FSH (150 IU).


METHODS
Serum AMH responses after FSH administration were measured.


RESULTS
Basal serum AMH levels were markedly increased in women with PCOS compared with levels observed in normal women. After FSH injection, PCOS women failed to demonstrate changes in circulating AMH over 24 h. A similar lack of alteration in serum AMH was observed in normal women.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that in PCOS and normal women, acute exposure to FSH does not appear to exert an effect on AMH production.
Wachs
Deborah S
DS
Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California-San Diego School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0633, USA.
Coffler
Mickey S
MS
Malcom
Pamela J
PJ
Chang
R Jeffrey
RJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013735:Testicular Hormones / Q000097:blood*
D006023:Glycoproteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013735:Testicular Hormones; D004958:Estradiol; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone