Serum anti-Mullerian hormone levels across different ethnic groups: a cross-sectional study

ObjectiveTo assess whether ethnic differences in serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) exist in a population of subfertile women presenting to a fertility clinic. DesignObservational cross-sectional study. SettingHomerton University Hospital Fertility Centre, London, UK. PopulationA total of 865 women attending the fertility clinic for their first consultation appointment between September 2012 and September 2013. MethodsSerum AMH was compared amongst women from five different ethnic groups. Main outcome measuresSerum AMH and ethnicity were the primary outcome variables. ResultsAlthough initial comparison showed South Asian women to have a higher serum AMH, compared with white European and Afro-Caribbean women (F=3.817; P<0.005), South Asian women attending the clinic were significantly younger and less likely to be smokers than women from other ethnic groups. The prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was significantly higher in South Asian and South East Asian women than in other ethnic groups. Differences in serum AMHwere no longer significant after controlling for confounding factors: age, body mass index (BMI), and smoking status with (P=0.869) and without (P=0.215) controlling for PCOS. ConclusionThe results from our study show that there was no independent association of ethnicity and serum AMH levels inan unselected population of women attending the fertility clinic.