Levels of antimüllerian hormone in serum during the normal menstrual cycle

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether levels of antimüllerian hormone (AMH) in serum vary during the normal menstrual cycle, using the most recently developed immunoassay method.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Local community.

Patient(s): Women with normal menstrual cycles and between the ages of 18 and 45 years were recruited (n = 45). Blood samples were collected on 5 days within each cycle: two in the follicular phase and three after confirmed ovulation. Exclusion criteria were anovulatory cycles, incomplete sample collection, insufficient blood volume, or non-Caucasian ethnicity.

Intervention(s): None.

Main outcome measure(s): Serum samples were tested for levels of AMH using a new immunoassay method (Ansh Labs). The effects of body mass index (BMI) and smoking on serum AMH levels were considered.

Result(s): Serum AMH levels varied significantly during the menstrual cycle, with the highest levels in the follicular phase. When the analysis was stratified by age, AMH variation during the menstrual cycle was significant only for women older than 30 years. Serum AMH levels were not significantly altered by BMI or smoking.

Conclusion(s): The new AMH immunoassay revealed a follicular phase rise in serum levels, particularly in women over the age of 30 years. This is consistent with other reports finding an interaction of menstrual cycle variation in AMH and chronological age. Nonetheless, the extent of variation is small, and sampling on any day of the menstrual cycle is expected to adequately reflect ovarian reserve.

Clinical trial registration number: NCT01337999.

Keywords: Endocrinology; follicle development; luteal phase; müllerian inhibitory substance; ovarian reserve.