Serum anti-müllerian hormone levels in women with secondary amenorrhea

Changes in FSH isoforms occur at temporally specific times during the menstrual cycle and reproductive lifespan. Changes in ratio in FSH isoforms may provide a sensitive test of ovarian reserve before IVF.     

Serum Anti-müllerian hormone, follicle stimulating hormone and antral follicle count measurement cannot predict pregnancy rates in IVF/ICSI cycles

Purpose

To investigate whether serum anti-müllerian hormone (AMH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), or antral follicle count (AFC) are predictive for clinical pregnancy in in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients.

Methods

Serum AMH, inhibin B, FSH, luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), prolactin, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and AFC of 189 women under 40 years of age were investigated. Pregnant and non-pregnant women were compared.

Results

Forty-seven (24.8 %) clinical pregnancies were observed in 189 women. There was no significant difference in terms of mean age, duration of infertility, body mass index, AMH, LH, FSH, E2, TSH, Inhibin B, AFC and total oocyte number between women who did and who did not become pregnant. Additionally, there was no significant difference in clinical pregnancy rates between the quartiles of AMH, FSH and AFC. (P values were 0.668, 0.071, and 0.252, respectively.)

Conclusion

Serum AMH and FSH, and AFC cannot predict clinical pregnancy in IVF patients under 40; the pregnancy rate tends to increase as AMH increases, although this remains non-significant.     

Accuracy of anti-Müllerian hormone and total follicles count to diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome in reproductive women

Objective

Recently, there was a new recommendation of ultrasonographic criteria to diagnosis polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In addition, serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) was proposed as a surrogate marker for diagnosis of PCOS, but AMH cut-off level for diagnosis of PCOS is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the accuracy of serum AMH and evaluate new ultrasonographic criteria, follicle number per ovary (FNPO) threshold ≥ 25 follicles and ovarian volume (OV) > 10 mL, for diagnosis of PCOS.

Anti-Müllerian hormone versus antral follicle count for defining the starting dose of FSH

This pilot study compared the efficacy and safety of two simple dosing algorithms, one based on anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) and the other on the antral follicle count (AFC), to determine the starting dose of recombinant FSH (rFSH) for ovarian stimulation in 348 women. Patients were randomized to a predefined AMH- or AFC-based algorithm. The proportion of cycles with the desired response was similar when rFSH dose was determined using AMH or AFC (35.2% versus 28.4%). There was a significant difference between the groups in the proportion of cycles with a hyperresponse (8.6% and 17.4%, but the incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome was similar (1.1% and 4.6%). There were no significant differences between two groups in outcomes, including implantation (19.3% versus 19.0%), clinical pregnancy (38.0% versus 46.9%), multiple pregnancy (16.5% versus 15.2%) and miscarriage (7.0% versus 8.3%). However, statistically significant differences in ovarian response were evident among the AMH and AFC subgroups: for AMH, Desired and Hypo; for AFC, Hypo and Hyper. This pilot study provides information for developing protocols to further validate the use of either AMH or AFC to guide the starting dose of rFSH in ovarian stimulation.The ideal outcome for couples undergoing IVF treatment is the birth of a healthy baby. One factor that might influence this is retrieving an adequate number of eggs, which are obtained using various treatment protocols. A group of drugs called gonadotrophins have been used for more than 20 years to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs. However, the dose to start treatment has not been clearly defined. A few studies have looked at ways to use the best gonadotrophin dose for each woman, but to be useful in the clinic any approach needs to be simple and easy to use. This study compared the effectiveness and safety of two simple approaches to determining the starting dose of recombinant FSH (rFSH) for ovarian stimulation in women undergoing IVF. One was based on the concentration of a hormone secreted by developing eggs (anti-Müllerian hormone; AMH) and the other on the number of developing follicles (antral follicle count; AFC). The number of cycles achieving the desired response in terms of number of eggs was similar when rFSH dose was guided using AMH or AFC, and the incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome was also similar. In addition, rates of clinical pregnancy, multiple pregnancy and miscarriage did not differ between the two groups. However, patients with low AMH concentrations or low AFC had a poor response to ovarian stimulation. This pilot study provides useful information from which new studies can further assess these approaches to personalizing treatment during IVF.     

Serum anti-Müllerian hormone and antral follicle count as predictive markers of OHSS in ART cycles

Objective  

To evaluate predictive role of day–3 serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels and antral follicle count (AFC) in ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in patients undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles.     

Anti-Müllerian hormone and antral follicle count for prediction of ovarian stimulation response in polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the ability of a combination of multiple ovarian reserve markers to predict ovarian stimulation response in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: On cycle Day 3 of 75 infertile patients with PCOS, serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) were measured, and antral follicle count (AFC) and ovarian volume (OV) were evaluated by transvaginal sonography (TVS). All patients underwent the same mild ovarian stimulation protocol using clomiphene citrate and highly purified FSH. Ovulation was monitored by TVS and confirmed by midluteal serum progesterone level.

Results: AMH, AFC, and “ovulation index” [OI, serum AMH (ng/ml)?×?bilateral AFC] were significantly lower in the ovulatory group (n?=?57, 76%) compared with the anovulatory group, whereas LH, FSH, LH/FSH ratio, and OV were not significantly different. Using receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis, the OI at a cutoff value of “85” had a sensitivity of 73.7% and a specificity of 72.2% in the prediction of ovulation, with an area under the curve of 0.733. Patients with OI?<?85 had significantly higher ovulation rate (p?<?0.001).

Conclusion: The OI, combining both AMH and AFC, is a potentially useful predictor of the outcome of ovarian stimulation in PCOS.     

A multicentre evaluation of the Elecsys® anti-Müllerian hormone immunoassay for prediction of antral follicle count

Research questionThe study aimed to assess the associations between pre-operative symptoms in patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) and intraoperatively determined extent of disease as described by the revised ENZIAN score.DesignThis was a retrospective data analysis of women who underwent surgery for DIE between 2014 and 2018 at the Department of Gynecology, Hospital St. John of God, Vienna (a tertiary referral centre for endometriosis).ResultsData from 245 women were analysed. Statistically significant associations were found between involvement of ENZIAN compartment B (uterosacral ligaments, parametrium) and presence of dyspareunia (P = 0.002), ENZIAN compartment C (rectum, sigmoid colon) and dyschezia (P < 0.001), and ENZIAN compartment FB (urinary bladder) and dysuria (P < 0.001, Fisher's exact test). Statistically significant correlations were also detected between symptom severity of dyschezia and lesion size in ENZIAN compartment C (r_s = 0.334, P < 0.001), and severity of dyspareunia and lesion size in ENZIAN compartment B (r_s = 0.127, P = 0.046). Severity of dysmenorrhoea was correlated with lesion size in ENZIAN compartment A (r_s = 0.244, P < 0.001) and was associated with the presence of adenomyosis (compartment FA; P = 0.005, Mann–Whitney U-test). Additionally, the number of affected compartments (A, B, C and FA) correlated with the severity of dysmenorrhoea (r_s = 0.256, P < 0.001) and dyschezia (r_s = 0.161, P = 0.012).ConclusionIn contrast to previous studies evaluating disease extent based on the revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine (rASRM) score, disease localization and extent as described by the revised ENZIAN score was associated and correlated with the presence and severity of different pre-operative symptoms. These explorative findings suggest that it may be important to evaluate the extent of DIE using the revised ENZIAN score in addition to the rASRM score.     

Changes in anti-müllerian hormone after ultrasound guided aspiration and ethanol sclerotic therapy of ovarian cyst

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration and ethanol sclerotherapy on anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) in patients with ovarian endometriomas. Setting: Teaching hospital affiliated with Chang Gung University, Taipei.Material and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed 124 patients, with ovarian endometriomas who underwent transvaginal aspiration and sclerotherapy of endometrioma(s) at a tertiary medical center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Preoperative evaluation included AMH, midcycle serum CA-125 level, and ultrasonography to exclude possibility of malignancies. Patients underwent ultrasonographic guided transvaginal aspiration and sclerotherapy with 95% ethanol irrigation of the cystic cavity. Patients were grouped into group 1, n = 44, retention of ethanol, and group 2, n = 80, no retention. Serum AMH level was checked at 6 months after aspiration. Those who were infertile prior to therapy were followed up for subsequent pregnancies (either by assisted reproductive technologies, or by natural conception).ResultsThe mean pre-operative AMH levels for the group without retention of ethanol and with ethanol retention were 3.80 and 3.06 respectively (p > 0.05). The change in AMH at 6-month follow up for retained group patients was significantly more than for non-retained group patients, with mean decrease of 0.72 (23.6%) and 0.10 (2.7%) respectively (p < 0.05). 54.5% (retained) and 47.2% (non-retained) of patients failed to achieve pregnancy during the observation period.ConclusionsTransvaginal aspiration of endometriomas followed by sclerotherapy with ethanol can be effective in preserving ovarian reserve, provided that no ethanol is left in situ.     

Effects of laparoscopic surgery on serum anti-müllerian hormone levels in reproductive-aged women with endometrioma

Objectives.?To examine and compare the effect of the two commercially available menotropins (highly purified-human menopausal gonadotropin (HP-hMG) and the traditional human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG)) on ovarian stimulation characteristics and in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycle outcome.

Study Design.?We studied 36 patients undergoing at least two controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles for IVF, with the same GnRH-analogue protocols, where one included HP-hMG and the other included hMG. Ovarian stimulation characteristics and outcome were compared between the two groups.

Results.?Patients in the HP-hMG group achieved significantly higher implantation (20.0% vs. 8.1%, p?<?0.03; respectively) and pregnancy rates (47.2% vs. 19.4%, p?<?0.009; respectively) compared to the hMG group. Although no in-between group difference was observed in the number of top-quality embryos per patient, the proportion of the total number of top-quality embryos per total number of generated embryos was significantly higher in the HP-hMG group (88/196 vs. 72/204, p?<?0.049; respectively) as compared to the hMG group.

Conclusions.?Patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF that includes HP-hMG preparations produce significantly higher implantation and pregnancy rates, as compared to the traditional hMG.     

Anti-Müllerian hormone trend after laparoscopic surgery in women with ovarian endometrioma

Abstract

Operative laparoscopy is the gold standard in the treatment of endometriotic ovarian cysts. Excisional surgery is the best technique to prevent recurrences and improve symptoms but it may result in ovarian reserve damage due to the removal of healthy ovarian cortex. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of the ovarian reserve damage after stripping technique of unilateral endometriomas, by dosing the Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH). This prospective study was conducted at the Center of Minimally Invasive Pelvic Surgery of the Department of Health of Woman and Child, University of Padua, from October 2010 to June 2012. Twenty-five women underwent excision of monolateral endometriosis ovarian cyst by stripping without accessing a bipolar coagulation and performing an intracortical suture. The AMH serum levels were estimated in the early proliferative phase of the cycle, before surgery (time 0), 24?h after surgery (time 1), the first menstrual cycle after surgery (time 2) and the third menstrual cycle after surgery (time 3). We found a nonstatistically significant decreases in serum AMH levels after surgical excision of the cysts. Our results suggest that an appropriate surgical technique, without the use of the bipolar coagulation of ovarian border, does not determine a significant reduction of ovarian reserve.     

Anti-Müllerian hormone in women with hypopituitarism diagnosed before or during adolescence

In women, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is exclusively expressed in granulosa cells and an established marker of ovarian reserve. In menstrual cycle disorders, low AMH is usually interpreted as an indicator of primary ovarian insufficiency. This study is a case series of 11 patients with hypopituitarism. AMH concentrations were on or below the age-specific 25th percentile in three of the four patients diagnosed in infancy, but not in the remaining seven patients, who were diagnosed during adolescence or later. In patients with hypopituitarism, the detection of low AMH serum concentrations can present a diagnostic pitfall and its value in the interpretation of ovarian reserve in these patients is challenging.     

Antimüllerian hormone and pituitary gland activity after prolonged down-regulation with goserelin acetate

The size of the pool of growing follicles was normal after prolonged down-regulation, as indicated by normal AMH levels 4 and 8 weeks after goserelin administration. However, there was a profound down-regulation of LH levels; therefore we suggest administration of exogenous LH to proceed to IVF or alternatively stimulation of endogenous LH secretion with daily administration of GnRH agonist. These need to be assessed prospectively.     

Changes in serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels may predict damage to residual normal ovarian tissue after laparoscopic surgery for women with ovarian endometrioma

We measured serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels before and after surgery in women undergoing unilateral and monolocular cystectomy for benign ovarian diseases. Comparing to control benign cysts, we found a significant decline in serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels with consequent depletion of follicles in tissue specimens after surgery for women with ovarian endometrioma.     

Anti-Müllerian hormone levels and antral follicle count in women enrolled in in vitro fertilization cycles: Relationship to lifestyle factors,chronological age and reproductive history

The aims of this prospective study were to investigate the relationship between anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and antral follicle count (AFC), and to determine whether these markers of ovarian reserve correlate with lifestyle factors, ethnicity, chronological age and reproductive history. Participants were 136 normo-ovulatory women undergoing infertility work-up within 3 months of their first ovarian stimulation cycle for in vitro fertilization. On day 3 of a spontaneous menstrual cycle, a blood sample for measurement of plasma AMH levels was taken and a transvaginal ultrasound scan to determine the AFC (follicles measuring 2–5 mm in diameter) was performed. Information about smoking, body mass index, alcohol consumption, ethnic origin, chronological age, age at menarche, years since menarche and gravidity were recorded using a case report form. The main outcome measures were plasma AMH concentrations and total number of small antral follicles (AFC). Median plasma levels of AMH were 2.0 ng/ml (interquartile range 1.1–3.6) and AFC was 10 (interquartile range 7–15). A positive correlation between AMH and AFC (r = 0.54, p < 0.0001) was found. AMH and AFC correlated negatively with age (r = ?0.30, p < 0.001 and r = ?0.27, p = 0.001 respectively) and number of years since menarche (r = ?0.23, p = 0.007 and r = ?0.21, p = 0.015 respectively), but not with any of the other measures. Circulating AMH levels and AFC correlated with each other and declined significantly with age. There were only weak, non-significant, correlations with lifestyle factors and reproductive history. These putative markers could be used individually or together to assess the age-related decline of ovarian function in normo-ovulatory candidates for IVF.     

Prediction of high ovarian response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation: anti-Müllerian hormone versus small antral follicle count (2–6 mm)

Purpose  

To evaluate the predictive value of basal serum anti-müllerian hormone level and small antral follicle count for high ovarian response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.     

Antimüllerian hormone predicts ovarian responsiveness, but not embryo quality or pregnancy, after in vitro fertilization or intracyoplasmic sperm injection

Antimüllerian hormone (AMH) and other markers of ovarian reserve were assessed to determine their predictive value with respect to treatment outcome. In a multivariate regression analysis, AMH was found to be predictive of the number of oocytes and the number of embryos, but not of embryo quality or the chance of a pregnancy, after IVF/ICSI.     

Anti-Müllerian hormone does not predict time to pregnancy: results of a prospective cohort study

In order to study whether ovarian reserve tests (ORTs) can predict time to ongoing pregnancy, we conducted a prospective cohort study in a cohort of healthy pregnancy planners. A total of 102 pregnancy planners were followed for 1?year, or until ongoing pregnancy occurred, after cessation of contraceptives). A baseline measurement of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and antral follicle count (AFC) was conducted. At the end of follow-up, a semen analysis was performed and chlamydia antibody titres were assessed. A univariate prediction model demonstrated age and the AFC to be significantly capable of predicting time to pregnancy (hazard ratio 0.92, 95% CI 0.87–0.98, p?=?0.01; 1.04, 95% CI 1.01–1.07, p?=?0.02 respectively). In the multivariate model, however, correcting for female age, we found no predictive effect of AMH, basal FSH or the AFC for time to ongoing pregnancy (hazard ratios 1.43, 95% CI 0.84–2.46, p?=?0.36; 0.96, 95% CI 0.86–1.06, p?=?0.43; 1.03, 95% CI 1.00–1.07, p?=?0.08, respectively). This was confirmed by the low C-statistic. We therefore concluded that baseline AMH, AFC or FSH levels do not predict time to ongoing pregnancy in a cohort of healthy pregnancy planners. These results limit the usability of these ORTs in the assessment of current fertility.