Anti-Müllerian Hormone as a marker of ovarian reserve in relation to cardio-metabolic health: a narrative review

Abstract

The final hallmark of diminishing ovarian reserve is menopause, a state known to be inextricably linked to the deterioration of female cardiovascular health. The menopausal transition is associated with an increased risk of future cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, irrespective of chronological age. The aim of this narrative review is to identify studies investigating the association between Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), a marker of ovarian reserve status, and factors of cardio-metabolic risk. Both for regularly cycling women and women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), current reports are conflicting and heterogeneous, with some indicating presence and others absence of a correlation between AMH and cardio-metabolic risk factors. The occurrence of hypertensive complications in pregnancy, known to increase the risk of later cardiovascular sequelae, is associated with reduced AMH levels in various study populations. Further research remains a prerequisite in order to further elucidate a possible common mechanism for ovarian and cardiovascular decline. More knowledge of the temporal or causal association between ovarian and cardiovascular decline may enable timely identification of women with increased risk of cardiovascular disease or early onset ovarian aging. Following this, AMH may in the future play a role beyond the scope of female reproduction.

Keywords: AMH; Anti-Müllerian Hormone; Cardiovascular risk; Metabolic syndrome.