Assessing ovarian response: antral follicle count versus anti-Müllerian hormone.
Oocyte number and quality decline with age; however, fertility varies significantly even among women of the same age. Various measures have been developed to predict response to ovarian stimulation and reproductive potential. Evaluation of ovarian reserve can identify patients who may experience poor response or hyper-response to exogenous gonadotrophins and can aid in the personalization of treatment to achieve good response and minimize risks. In recent years, two key methods, antral follicle count (AFC), an ultrasound biomarker of follicle number, and the concentration of serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), a hormone biomarker of follicle number, have emerged as preferred methods for assessing ovarian reserve. In this review, a live debate held at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine 2013 Annual Meeting is expanded upon to compare the predictive values, merits, and disadvantages of AFC and AMH level. An ovarian reserve measure without limitations has not yet been discovered, although both AFC and AMH have good predictive value. Published evidence, however, as well as the objectivity and potential standardization of AMH level and the convenience of testing any time throughout the menstrual cycle, leans towards AMH level becoming the gold-standard biomarker to evaluate ovarian reserve and predict ovarian response to stimulation.
Glasgow Centre for Reproductive Medicine, 21 Fifty Pitches Way, Gardonald Business Park, Glasgow G51-4FD, UK. Electronic address: Richard.Fleming@gcrm.co.uk.
Richard
R
Fleming
Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
David B
DB
Seifer
Fertility Institute of Hawaii, 1401 South Beretania St, Suite 250, Honolulu, HI 96814, USA.
John L
JL
Frattarelli
Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Inc, 100 Interpace Pkwy, Parsippany, NJ 07054, USA.
Jane
J
Ruman
D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D065851:Ovarian Reserve / Q000502:physiology*; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D014463:Ultrasonography
D015415:Biomarkers; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone
anti-Müllerian hormone; antral follicle count; hyper-response; in-vitro fertilization; ovarian reserve; poor response