title: How Much Does AMH Really Vary in Normal Women?
abstract: Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) is an ovarian hormone expressed in growing follicles that have undergone recruitment from the primordial follicle pool but have not yet been selected for dominance. It is considered an accurate marker of ovarian reserve, able to reflect the size of the ovarian follicular pool of a woman of reproductive age. In comparison to other hormonal biomarkers such as serum FSH, low intra- and intermenstrual cycle variability have been proposed for AMH. This review summarizes the knowledge regarding within-subject variability, with particular attention on AMH intracycle variability. Moreover the impact of ethnicity, body mass index, and smoking behaviour on AMH interindividual variability will be reviewed. Finally changes in AMH serum levels in two conditions of ovarian quiescence, namely contraceptives use and pregnancy, will be discussed. The present review aims at guiding researchers and clinicians in interpreting AMH values and fluctuations in various research and clinical scenarios.
authors.affiliation: Mother-Infant Department, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico di Modena, Largo del Pozzo, 41100 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: La Marca
authors.affiliation: Mother-Infant Department, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico di Modena, Largo del Pozzo, 41100 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Grisendi
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Medicine and Gynecological Endocrinology, University Clinic of Schleswig-Holstein, 23538 Luebeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Griesinger