Serum anti-müllerian hormone levels in healthy females: a nomogram ranging from infancy to adulthood

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012 Dec;97(12):4650-5. doi: 10.1210/jc.2012-1440. Epub 2012 Sep 19.

Abstract

Context: Anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) is an accurate marker of ovarian reserve. However, sufficiently large sets of normative data from infancy to the end of reproductive life are scarce.

Objective: This study was an assessment of serum AMH levels in healthy females.

Subjects: In 804 healthy females ranging from infancy until the end of the reproductive period, serum AMH levels were measured with an enzyme-linked immunometric assay. All adults had regular menstrual cycles. The majority was proven fertile and none of them had used oral contraceptive pills prior to study inclusion.

Results: In the total cohort, AMH was inversely correlated with age (r = -0.24; P < 0.001). The age at which the maximum AMH value was attained was at 15.8 yr. In girls younger than 15.8 yr, serum AMH and age were positively correlated (r = +0.18; P = 0.007). Thereafter AMH levels remained stable (r = -0.33; P = 0.66), whereas from the age of 25.0 yr onward, an inverse correlation between AMH and age (r = -0.47; P < 0.001) was observed. At any given age, considerable interindividual differences in serum AMH levels were observed.

Conclusion: During infancy AMH levels increase, whereas during adolescence, a plateau until the age of 25 yr was observed. From the age of 25 yr onward, serum AMH levels correlate inversely with age, implying that AMH is applicable as a marker of ovarian reserve only in women of 25 yr old and older. Our nomogram may facilitate counseling women on their reproductive potential.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aging / blood
  • Anti-Mullerian Hormone / analysis
  • Anti-Mullerian Hormone / blood*
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cohort Studies
  • Diagnostic Techniques, Endocrine / standards
  • Diagnostic Techniques, Obstetrical and Gynecological / standards
  • Female
  • Health*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Menstrual Cycle / blood
  • Menstrual Cycle / physiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Nomograms*
  • Reference Values
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Anti-Mullerian Hormone