Serum anti-mullerian hormone levels in the main phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome

• Published in: European journal of obstetrics & gynecology and reproductive biology Vol. 170; no. 1; pp. 157 - 161
• Main Authors: Sahmay, Sezai, Atakul, Nil, Oncul, Mahmut, Tuten, Abdullah, Aydogan, Begum, Seyisoglu, Hakan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.09.2013
• Subjects: Adult; AMH; Anovulation - blood; Anti-Mullerian Hormone - blood; Biomarkers - blood; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Hyperandrogenism; Hyperandrogenism - blood; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Ovary - pathology; Phenotype; Polycystic ovarian syndrome; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - blood; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - pathology; Retrospective Studies; Young Adult; Polycystic ovarian syndrome; AMH; Hyperandrogenism
• ISSN: 0301-2115; 1872-7654
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2013.05.019

Abstract Objective To characterize the difference in circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels between the main polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) phenotypic groups and evaluate the role of AMH in predicting the severity of PCOS. Study design Cross-sectional, retrospective study. A total of 251 women were divided into four groups based on the main features of PCOS, as follows: Group 1 (polycystic ovarian morphology [PCOM]+/oligo-anovulation [OA]+/hyperandrogenism [HA]+), Group 2 (PCOM+/OA+/HA−), Group 3 (PCOM+/OA−/HA+), and Group 4 (PCOM−/OA+/HA+). AMH and other hormone levels were measured in serum. The main outcome was serum AMH concentrations in the main phenotypes of PCOS. Result(s) The mean serum AMH levels were 9.50 ± 6.1 ng/mL in Group 1; 8.02 ± 6.2 ng/mL in Group 2; 6.12 ± 3.6 ng/mL in Group 3; and 3.06 ± 2.4 ng/mL in Group 4. Circulating AMH levels in Group 1 (PCOM+/OA+/HA+) were three times higher than those in Group 4 (PCOM−/OA+/HA+). Conclusions The highest AMH levels were found in cases where all three main diagnostic criteria existed. AMH levels correlate best with PCOM. In addition, oligo-anovulation contributes to increased AMH levels. Hyperandrogenism criteria were found to have less influence on AMH levels. AMH levels seem to have a diagnostic role in determining the severity of PCOS.