Serum anti-Mullerian hormone levels: a novel measure of ovarian reserve

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is produced by the granulosa cells of preantral and small antral follicles and its levels can be assessed in serum. Since the number of ovarian follicles declines with increasing age, AMH levels might be used as a marker for ovarian ageing. Therefore, we studied the relationship between AMH levels and ovarian response during ovarian stimulation for IVF.

A total of 130 patients undergoing their first IVF treatment cycle using a long protocol with GnRH agonist was prospectively included. Blood withdrawal was performed and the number of antral follicles was assessed by ultrasound on day 3 of a spontaneous cycle. Poor response and the number of oocytes were used as primary outcome measures. In a random subset of 23 patients a GnRH agonist stimulation test was performed to investigate whether a rise in FSH and LH would affect AMH levels.