How a Better Understanding of AMH, Helps Doctors to Plan IVF Treatments Better.

Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is recognized as a test used to assess a patient’s ovarian reserve, an indirect measure of quantity as well as the quality of eggs remaining in a woman’s ovaries at any age. AMH is commonly used for planning IVF treatments, such as for deciding the dose of medication to be given.

Measuring AMH levels anytime in the cycle has been an acceptable practice. However, there is emerging evidence that suggests that AMH can have significant variation within the menstrual cycle as well as between menstrual cycles of a naturally cycling woman when measured by a fully automated AMH assay. In this study, one hundred blood tests were taken from 22 women, at fixed intervals within the cycle as well as between two consecutive cycles. A difference of 20% was noted between the highest and the lowest value within the same menstrual cycle and 28% between the two consecutive cycles. This represents a high degree of unexpected variation and may not be suitable for the planning of IVF cycles.

By identifying significant intra and inter-cycle variability, this study highlights that relying on one random AMH value to plan IVF cycles, may not be the best strategy. This awareness may lead to better planning for ovarian stimulation and consequently better outcomes for patients undergoing IVF treatment.

Source: ART Fertility Clinics Research

Anti-müllerian Hormone During Natural Cycle Presents Significant Intra and Intercycle Variations When Measured With Fully Automated Assay

Laura Melado1*, Barbara Lawrenz 1,2, Junard Sibal 1, Emmanuel Abu1, Carol Coughlan1, Alfredo T. Navarro3 and Human Mousavi Fatemi 1