Concentration of anti-Müllerian hormone and inhibin-B in relation to steroids and age in follicular fluid from small antral human follicles.
BACKGROUND
Ovaries surgically removed for fertility preservation served as a source of follicle fluid from human small antral follicles.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to measure intrafollicular concentrations of anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), inhibin-B, progesterone, androstenedione, testosterone, estradiol, and IGF binding protein-4.


METHODS
The study was conducted at a university hospital.


METHODS
Patients included 43 women having one ovary removed prior to receiving gonadotoxic treatment due to malignant disease.


METHODS
Fluid from 100 follicles (diameter of 3-9 mm) were included.


METHODS
Intrafollicular concentrations of the measured hormones, their possible intercorrelation, and correlation with age were measured.


RESULTS
Concentrations of AMH were unrelated to follicular fluid concentrations of androstenedione and testosterone. There was a significant negative correlation between estradiol, inhibin-B, progesterone, and AMH. In four age groups spanning 11-37 yr, levels of AMH, estradiol, androstenedione, testosterone and inhibin-B remained constant, whereas progesterone showed significant variations. IGF binding protein-4 was unrelated to any other measured hormone.


CONCLUSIONS
This study was unable to confirm a stimulatory effect of androgens on AMH secretion but did enforce a close intimate correlation between AMH and estradiol expressions in the developing human follicle. The insignificant variation of the AMH concentration with age, even in prepubertal girls, suggests that AMH expression is unrelated to menstrual cycle FSH cyclicity.
Yding Andersen
Claus
C
Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. yding@rh.dk
Rosendahl
Mikkel
M
Byskov
Anne Grete
AG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D048429:Cell Size; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000032:analysis*; D018974:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 4 / Q000032:analysis; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000378:metabolism; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D018974:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 4; C422364:inhibin B; D007265:Inhibins; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone