The Time for Thinking in Serum Anti-mullerian Hormone Levels and the Criteria of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background: Studies indicated that anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) could be a potential biological marker for diagnosis of PCOS.

Aim: The aim of this study is to ensure the role of serum AMH levels in diagnosis of PCOS and is the time for thinking about the modification of the criteria of this syndrome.

Subjects and Methods: This study was carried out at Clinical Biochemistry Unit, Biochemistry Department, College of Medicine, Baghdad University, Iraq, during the period from November 2009 to July 2010. It included 33 infertile women with PCOS who were subdivided into; Group I (GI) involved 20 women who were studied on day 2-4 of their menstrual cycle and Group II (GII) which consisted of 13 women who were studied on 11-13 cycle day. Eighteen healthy fertile women were served as controls. Investigation included serum measurements of AMH, inhibin B, FSH, LH, E2, prolactin and free testosterone in PCOS and control women by using ELISA technique.

Results: The present study showed significantly increased serum AMH in PCOS women (both GI and GII) compared with control women (P=0.027, P=0.002, respectively). There was no significant difference between the PCOS women. There was a significant positive correlation between serum AMH levels and the values of ovarian volume in PCOS women of GI (r=0.476, P=0.035).

Conclusion: Measurement of serum AMH level could be considered as a useful tool in diagnosis of PCOS and it is appropriate for considering changes in the criteria for distinguishing this syndrome.