Statistically Significant Changes of Antimüllerian Hormone and Inhibin Levels During the Physiologic Menstrual Cycle in Reproductive Age Women

Objective: To define the dynamics of antimüllerian hormone (AMH) and inhibins during the physiologic menstrual cycle.

Design: Longitudinal study.

Setting: University hospital.

Patient(s): 36 young, healthy, normal weight Caucasian women without medication.

Intervention(s): Normal ovulatory menstrual cycles were evaluated by regular blood sampling taken every other day and periovulatory every day.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Serum concentrations of AMH, inhibin A and B, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, estradiol, progesterone, and free testosterone were measured in all blood samples.

Result(s): Median AMH levels are statistically significantly higher in the late follicular compared with ovulation or the early luteal phase. There are statistically significant correlations between both AMH and FSH, and AMH and free testosterone in all cycle phases. Inhibin A increases strongly in the late follicular phase and peaks at day LH + 4. Inhibin B shows a broad midfollicular and a sharp early luteal peak, the difference being statistically significant between day LH + 4 and the earlier time points and between day LH + 2 and day LH. Although there is a negative association between inhibin A or B and the body mass index (BMI), there is no correlation between AMH and the BMI.

Conclusion(s): Levels of AMH show a statistically significant change during the menstrual cycle and may influence the circulating gonadotropin and steroid hormone levels.