Assessment of ovarian reserve: Anti-Mullerian hormone versus follicle stimulating hormone.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the strength of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in reflecting the antral follicle count (AFC) in infertile females.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 160 females, visiting infertility clinic for assisted reproduction. Serum samples collected on the 3rd day of the cycle were assayed for FSH, luteinizing hormone, and AMH while AFC was assessed via transvaginal ultrasound. The study cohort was segregated into three groups based on AFC.

RESULTS: Chronological age and FSH was significantly high in females with very low AFC ( P < 0.01 and 0.009, respectively), yet they failed to discriminate patients with normal and higher follicle count ( P = 0.65 and 0.84). Conversely, AMH reported highly significant difference between very low AFC and with those having either normal AFC ( P = 0.002) or higher AFC ( P = 0.001). Moreover, a significant difference in AMH was observed between normal and higher AFC group ( P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION: Compared to female's age and FSH, AMH is superior in clustering study cohort on the bases of antral follicular pool, especially in setups with nonavailability of technological expertise to assess AFC. Incorporation of AMH along with other biomarkers improves estimation of baseline ovarian reserve, required to standardize dose for optimum response; avoiding the risk of failure to retrieve oocyte or inappropriate stimulation leading to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Further prospective studies are required to ascertain its role in predicting the outcomes of ART in such patients.