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Review
. 2015 Nov-Dec;19(6):731-43.
doi: 10.4103/2230-8210.167548.

Can anti-Mullerian hormone replace ultrasonographic evaluation in polycystic ovary syndrome? A review of current progress

Awadhesh Kumar Singh  1 , Ritu Singh  2
Affiliations
Review

Can anti-Mullerian hormone replace ultrasonographic evaluation in polycystic ovary syndrome? A review of current progress

Awadhesh Kumar Singh et al. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2015 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Several studies over the past decade have now consistently indicated that the serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels are at least 2-3-fold higher in the patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which also corresponds to the increased number of AMH producing preantral and small antral follicles. Moreover, AMH levels have been found to be associated in direct proportion to the follicle numbers per ovary or antral follicular count, assessed by the transvaginal ultrasound (TVS). Furthermore, AMH correlates directly with the rising serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels in PCOS. Hence, serum AMH in women with oligo-anovulation and/or hyperandrogenemia could indicate the presence of underlying PCOS, when reliable TVS is not feasible, or not acceptable, either due to the virginal status or psycho-social issue. In addition, the imaging quality of abdominal ultrasound is often impaired by obesity, which typically occurs in PCOS women. Indeed, PCOS occurs most commonly in young females who cannot be subjected to invasive TVS for various reasons; therefore, a desirable alternative to TVS is urgently required to diagnose the most prevalent endocrine abnormality of young women. This review will analyze the currently available evidence regarding the role of AMH in the diagnosis of PCOS.

Keywords: Anti-Mullerian hormone; hyperandrogenemia; insulin resistance; oligo-ovulation; polycystic ovary disease.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Anti-Mullerian hormone value (ng/mL) in polycystic ovary syndrome versus control using National Institutes of Health criteria
Figure 2
Figure 2
Anti-Mullerian hormone value (ng/mL) in polycystic ovary syndrome versus control using Rotterdam criteria
Figure 3
Figure 3
Meta-analysis of 10 studies
Figure 4
Figure 4
Anti-Mullerian hormone value (ng/mL) in polycystic ovary syndrome versus control using Diagnostic Systems Laboratories assay
Figure 5
Figure 5
Anti-Mullerian hormone value (ng/mL) in polycystic ovary syndrome versus control using Immunotech assay
Figure 6
Figure 6
Anti-Mullerian hormone cut-off value (ng/mL) for polycystic ovary syndrome in receiver operator characteristics curve analysis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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