Anti-Müllerian Hormone Serum Measurements Reflect Cycle Length and Ovarian Follicle Number in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome [350

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: During folliculogenesis, anti-Müllerian hormone plays a key role in the selection of the dominant follicle. Levels of anti-Müllerian hormone are elevated in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and are correlated with the number of follicles. We explored the relationship of anti-Müllerian hormone with the PCOS-defining characteristics: clinical and biochemical hyperandrogenism, cycle length, ovarian volume, and antral follicular count. METHODS: Women diagnosed with PCOS by the Rotterdam criteria were included in the study. All underwent endocrine and ultrasound assessment in the early follicular phase. Anti-Müllerian hormone was included in a regression analysis model with the PCOS-defining characteristics (SPSS 21). RESULTS: A total of 153 women were included. Clinical hyperandrogenism (hirsutism, acne, or both) was present in 142 patients (92.8%). Anti-Müllerian hormone (5.4±5.2 ng/mL), cycle length (51.9±52.8 days), average follicle count (21.2±9.1), ovarian volume (11.2±6.0 mm3), testosterone (30.5±15.0 ng/dL), and FAI (3.0±2.6) were the evaluated variables (average±standard deviation). Of the PCOS-defining characteristics, anti-Müllerian hormone was predicted by cycle length (t=3.492, P=.001) and average follicle count (t=2.231, P=.03). Ovarian volume and clinical and biochemical hyperandrogenism were not found to be significant predictors. The results remained significant controlling for age and body mass index. CONCLUSION: Higher serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels were correlated with excessive follicular count and prolonged cycle length. These results underscore the inhibitory function of anti-Müllerian hormone on ovarian follicular development and could help explain the effect of an increased number of follicles on ovulation and fertility potential in women with PCOS.