Variations in serum mullerian inhibiting substance between white, black, and Hispanic women

Objective: To compare serum mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS) levels between white, black, and Hispanic women to determine whether ovarian aging occurs at a different time course for women of different racial groups. Design: Longitudinal study of serum MIS levels in women of different race and ethnicity over two different time points. Setting: Women's Interagency HIV Study, a multicenter prospective cohort study. Patient(s): Serum samples obtained from 809 participants (122 white, 462 black, and 225 Hispanic women). Intervention(s): Comparison of serum MIS between women of different race and ethnicity at two time points (median age 37.5 years and 43.3 years). Main Outcome Measure(s): Variation in MIS by race and ethnicity over time, controlling for age, body mass index, HIV status, and smoking. Result(s): Compared with white women, average MIS values were lower among black (25.2% lower) and Hispanic (24.6% lower) women, adjusting for age, body mass index, smoking, and HIV status. Conclusion(s): There is an independent effect of race and ethnicity on the age-related decline in MIS over time. (Fertil Steril (R) 2009;92:1674-8. (C) 2009 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)