Anti-Műllerian hormone--a prognostic marker for metformin therapy efficiency in the treatment of women with infertility and polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Background: The anti-Műllerian hormone (AMH) is secreted in women exclusively by the granulosa cells of the ovarian follicles. The serum level of AMH is a precise marker of follicle pool size. In recent clinical studies of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the serum levels of AMH were elevated about two to threefold. The use of metformin in women with infertility and PCOS has proved to be efficient: restoring ovulation and reducing metabolic dysfunctions. The aim of our study is to assess AMH as a prognostic marker for metformin therapy efficiency in the treatment of women with infertility and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: Eleven patients with infertility and PCOS were enrolled; PCOS was diagnosed according to the criteria of Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Society 2006 (AE/PCOS). All patients have received metformin therapy. Serum AMH was recorded before and after 2 months of treatment; the normal laboratory values were 2.0-6.8 ng/ml.

Results: The primary serum AMH level of all women in study was very high: 8.99±0.99 ng/ml. After 2 months of treatment with metformin ovulation was restored in all the patients and the serum AMH levels were significantly decreased.

Conclusions: In clinical practice, serum AMH levels of women with infertility and PCOS receiving metformin are a useful predictive marker for the treatment efficiency.

Keywords: AMH; PCOS; metformin.