Is antral follicle count a genetic trait?
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between maternal age of menopause and antral follicle count.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study of 124 women aged 25 to 48 years presenting with infertility. Women reported their mother's age of menopause and underwent transvaginal ultrasound to assess antral follicle count. Participant age, age greater than 37 years, and maternal age of menopause, as well as interactions among these, were incorporated into a multiple linear regression model to predict antral follicle count. Three different ages of maternal menopause were inputted into this model to illustrate the relationship between maternal age of menopause and rate of decline in antral follicle count.


RESULTS
Women with a lower maternal age of menopause have lower antral follicle counts but also a slower decline until the age of 37 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal age of menopause predicts antral follicle count and its decline, indicating a genetic component to this trait.
Rosen
Mitchell P
MP
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Johnstone
Erica B
EB
Gillham
Sara J
SJ
Modan
Aisha E
AE
Lipshutz
Angela K M
AK
Reijo-Pera
Renee
R
Cedars
Marcelle I
MI
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics*; D008593:Menopause / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography