The Effect of Isotretinoin on Ovarian Reserve Based on Hormonal Parameters, Ovarian Volume, and Antral Follicle Count in Women with Acne

• Published in: Gynecologic and obstetric investigation Vol. 79; no. 2; pp. 78 - 82
• Main Authors: Aksoy, Huseyin, Cinar, Levent, Acmaz, Gokhan, Aksoy, Ulku, Aydin, Turgut, Vurdem, Umit Erkan, Oz, Leyla, Idem Karadag, Ozge, Kartal, Demet
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland S. Karger AG 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Acne Vulgaris - drug therapy; Adolescent; Adult; Anti-Mullerian Hormone - blood; Dermatologic Agents - adverse effects; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Isotretinoin - adverse effects; Original Article; Ovarian Follicle - drug effects; Ovarian Reserve - drug effects; Ovary - drug effects; Young Adult; Antral follicle count; Ovarian volume; Isotretinoin; Acne; Anti-müllerian hormone
• ISSN: 0378-7346; 1423-002X
• DOI: 10.1159/000371551

Backgroud/Aims: Widely prescribed in routine practice, isotretinoin has an unknown impact on ovarian reserve. With a long history in acne treatment and numerous potential side effects, it is surprising that very few prospective studies have investigated its effect on ovarian reserve. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the impact of oral isotretinoin on ovarian reserve based on hormonal parameters, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), ovarian volume (OV), and antral follicle count (AFC) in women of reproductive age with acne. Methods: Our study group consisted of 82 women of reproductive age with acne who were treated with oral isotretinoin. The patients were evaluated for ovarian reserve prior to therapy and reevaluated 6 months after isotretinoin treatment with regard to hormonal parameters, AMH, OV, and AFC. Results: Significant differences were found between the pre- and posttreatment period for AMH [2.20 ng/ml (25th-75th percentile 1.14-4.07) vs. 1.31 ng/ml (0.32-2.28)], total AFC [16 (14-18.25) vs. 12.5 (10-15)], and total OV [23 ml (18-29) vs. 15 ml (13-18); p < 0.001]. Conclusion: Our study is the first to analyze the levels of serum AMH, AFC, and OV together in patients treated with oral isotretinoin for acne. The results of our study demonstrated that oral isotretinoin had a significant negative effect on ovarian reserve.