SERUM LEVELS OF ANTIMULLERIAN HORMONE IN WOMEN WITH REGULAR MENSTRUAL CYCLES

Antimullerian hormone (AMH) is produced by Sertolli cells of the testes and granulosa cells of the ovaries. Recent studies have indicated that AMH may be a novel measure of ovarian reserve. Also, earlier reports have presented minimal fluctuations of AMH levels throughout the menstrual cycle. The aim of this preliminary study was to demonstrate the relation of serum AMH levels and age in women with regular menstrual cycles and normal hormonal regulation of ovarian function. The study included 35 women divided into two groups of women aged 30 or younger and those older than 30. Hormone concentrations were assessed by measurements of lutropin (LH), follitropin (FSH), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and AMH on cycle day 3-5 (follicular phase); and LH, FSH and E2 on cycle day 13-15 (ovulation). Progesterone level was determined on cycle day 19-23 (luteal phase). Median age differed significantly between the two groups of study subjects (P=0.001). Study results confirmed regular ovarian response to physiological gonadotropin stimulation, which is the assumption for normo-ovulatory cycles. Some decrease in the mean serum AMH levels was recorded in women over 30 years of age, although the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.0693). There was no statistically significant difference in serum AMH concentrations between follicular phase and ovulation in study women (P=0.3124). Our preliminary results, although obtained in a limited number of women, support the diagnostic value of AMH as a reliable marker of ovarian reserve.