Correlation between anti-Müllerian hormone serum level and Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA expression ratio from granulosa cells in patients with PCOS

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. Affected women usually have lower apoptotic rates of granulosa cells than unaffected women, resulting in lower oocyte quality. The Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), responsible for cell apoptosis, is low in women with PCOS, whereas the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 is increased. In addition, the anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is also thought to suppress follicle apoptosis in the ovaries. This study evaluate whether the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio is correlated with the AMH serum level in women with PCOS. A cross-sectional study was conducted based on medical records from the Cipto Mangunkusomo’s Hospital. Data from 20 women with PCOS and 20 control women who have undergone in vitro fertilization procedures were evaluated. The serum expression levels of AMH, Bax, and Bcl were also measured. This study found no differences between Bax or Bcl-2 levels or in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio between the PCOS and the control groups (p = 0.38, p = 0.233, and p = 0.31, respectively). The mean AMH serum level in the PCOS group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05). However, when AMH levels and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratios were tried to be matched, there was no significant correlation (p = 0.71, r = −0.109). Serum levels of AMH are not significantly correlated to the mRNA expression levels of Bax or Bcl-2 in granulosa cells.