Anti mullerian hormone (AMH) levels decline during IVF cycles

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine if AMH levels change during the stimulatory phase of IVF treatment. DESIGN: AMH levels were obtained using the Diagnostic System Laboratories ELISA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 180 patients undergoing IVF were enrolled after IRB approval. All had undergone ovarian suppression with Lupron or oral contraceptives. AMH levels were measured at the time of baseline ultrasound and again on the day of HCG administration. Patient demographic data including age and BMI were recorded. The primary endpoint in this aspect of our study was the change in AMH levels during gonadotropin stimulation. RESULTS: Patient age ranged from 22 to 43 and BMI from 18 to 52. The mean levels of AMH declined from 2.8 at baseline (cycle day 3) to 1.2ng/ml at time of HCG administration, a 58% reduction (P < .001). Both levels correlated strongly with the number of oocytes retrieved. There was no association between AMH levels and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Supraphysiologic doses of gonadotropin are associated with a decline in serum AMH levels. This finding differs from the normal menstrual cycle where cyclical variation in AMH levels is minor.