Correlation between anti-Müllerian and follicle-stimulating hormone in female infertility

Abstract

Background: Follicle development is dependent on the interrelationship of many hormones, such as follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and anti-Mόllerian hormone (AMH). Ovary-specific expression in granulosa cells of growing nonselected follicles makes AMH an ideal marker for the size of the ovarian follicle pool. Thus, the objective was to study the variability of AMH during menstrual cycle and relationship between serum AMH and FSH in infertile women and to observe their relation with antral follicle count (AFC) as to determine, which is a better predictor of infertility. Materials and Methods: This study includes 75 infertile women in aged 30-40 years. Blood samples were taken at day three for serum AMH and FSH levels, and AFC was done. AMH was estimated again on day 14 of the menstrual cycle. Results: Mean serum AMH and FSH were 1.18 ± 0.57 ng/ml and 9.09 ± 2.51 mIU/ml on day three of menstrual cycle. Mean AMH levels on day fourteen was 1.12 ± 0.53 ng/ml, which was not significantly different from day three AMH level. There was a significant inverse relationship between serum AMH and FSH concentration (r = −0.488, P < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between AMH and AFC (r = 0.641, P < 0.001). Conclusion: There was a significant inverse correlation between serum AMH and FSH levels in infertile women and we consider AMH, a better predictor of ovarian reserve as it is relatively stable throughout the cycle. Furthermore, there is was positive correlation between AMH and AFC, denoting reduction of AMH levels in serum is the first indication of a decline in the follicular reserve.