Towards international standardization of immunoassays for Müllerian inhibiting substance/anti-Müllerian hormone

AMHconverter: an online tool for converting results between the different anti-Müllerian hormone assays of Roche Elecsys®, Beckman Access, and Kangrun

Background

The anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is gaining attention as a key factor in determining ovarian reserve and polycystic ovarian syndrome, and its clinical applications are becoming more widespread worldwide.

Objective

To identify the most accurate formula for converting AMH assay results between different platforms, so that the developed AMH converter can be used to reduce the need for multiple AMH tests at different hospitals.

Methods

Assuming that the Beckman Access, Kangrun, and Roche Elecsys^® AMH assays fit a linear relationship from the lowest to the highest concentration (a global relationship), we used Passing-Bablok regression to determine the conversion equation between each two assays. When the relationship between two AMH assays was a local one, spline regression was used. Bland-Altman plots were drawn to check systemic bias and heterogeneity of variance across different ranges of values. The fitting effects of the models were evaluated using the squared coefficient of determination (r²), adjusted r², root mean square error (RMSE), Akaike information criterion (AIC), and corrected AIC.

Results

The coefficient of variance for multiple controls in the Kangrun, Roche, and Beckman assays was lower than 5%, and the bias of multiple controls was lower than 7%. A global linear relationship was observed between the Kangrun and Roche assays, with the intercept being zero, for which Passing-Bablok regression was employed for data conversion between the two platforms. For the other two pairs of platforms, i.e., Roche and Kangrun or Beckman and Kangrun, spline regression was applied, with the intercepts not including zero. The six corresponding formulas were developed into an online AMH converter (http://121.43.113.123:8006/).

Conclusion

This is the first time Passing-Bablok plus spline regression has been used to convert AMH concentrations from one assay to another. The formulas have been developed into an online tool, which makes them convenient to use in practical applications.

The impact of anti-Müllerian hormone on endometrial thickness in gonadotropin stimulation/intrauterine insemination cycles: is there an effect on pregnancy outcomes?

PURPOSE

To study the association, if any, between anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and pre-ovulatory endometrial thickness (ET) in gonadotropin/intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included a total of 964 patients undergoing 1926 gonadotropin/IUI cycles at an academic fertility center. Primary outcome measure was the association between serum AMH and measured ET on the day of and the day before human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG) ovulation trigger. The effect of a model combining AMH and ET on early pregnancy outcomes was a secondary measure.

RESULTS

In 52.8% of cycles, ET was last assessed and recorded on the day of hCG administration, while in the remaining 47.2% on the day prior to trigger. In unadjusted regression models, AMH was weakly correlated with ET on hCG trigger day [bAMH (95%CI) = 0.032 (- 0.008, 0.070), p = 0.015]. When adjusting for potential confounders, the positive correlation became significant [0.051 (0.006, 0.102), p = 0.047]. Similar findings were observed when assessing the correlation between AMH and ET on the day prior to hCG trigger. ET was non-significantly associated with the odds of clinical pregnancy, when adjusting for potential confounders, except for when restricting the analysis to couples with idiopathic infertility [OR (95%CI), p-value: 0.787 (0.623, 0.993), 0.044].

CONCLUSION

Our findings support an effect of serum AMH on endometrial development in gonadotropin induced cycles, even when adjusting for the diagnosis of PCOS. ET was not associated with the odds of achieving a clinical pregnancy, except for couples with idiopathic infertility.

Biomaterials and advanced technologies for the evaluation and treatment of ovarian aging

Ovarian aging is characterized by a progressive decline in ovarian function. With the increase in life expectancy worldwide, ovarian aging has gradually become a key health problem among women. Over the years, various strategies have been developed to preserve fertility in women, while there are currently no clinical treatments to delay ovarian aging. Recently, advances in biomaterials and technologies, such as three-dimensional (3D) printing and microfluidics for the encapsulation of follicles and nanoparticles as delivery systems for drugs, have shown potential to be translational strategies for ovarian aging. This review introduces the research progress on the mechanisms underlying ovarian aging, and summarizes the current state of biomaterials in the evaluation and treatment of ovarian aging, including safety, potential applications, future directions and difficulties in translation.

Urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations are negatively associated with follicular fluid anti-müllerian hormone concentrations in women undergoing fertility treatment

Exposure to phthalates, endocrine-disrupting chemicals commonly used as plasticizers and in consumer products, has been associated with infertility and premature ovarian failure. Our objective was to investigate whether urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations were associated with pre-ovulatory follicular fluid (FF) anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations in women undergoing fertility treatment. This cross-sectional analysis included 138 women with urinary phthalate data available in the Environment and Reproductive Health (EARTH) Study (2010-2016) in whom FF AMH concentrations were quantified using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We also quantified 8 phthalate metabolite concentrations using tandem mass spectrometry in 1-2 urine samples per cycle (total 331 urines) and calculated the cycle-specific geometric mean for each metabolite. We applied cluster-weighted generalized estimating equation models (CWGEE) to evaluate the associations of tertiles of urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations with log-transformed FF AMH concentrations adjusting for potential confounders. Study participants had median age of 34.0 years (IQR 32.0, 37.0), 83% were white, and median BMI of 23.1 kg/m² (IQR 21.2, 26.1). The following stimulation protocols were used: luteal phase agonist (70%), antagonist (14%), or flare (16%). Urinary concentrations of select phthalate metabolites were negatively associated with FF AMH. For example, women whose urinary mEOHP was in the lowest tertile (range 0.30-4.04 ng/ml) had an adjusted mean FF AMH of 0.72 ng/mL (95% CI = 0.36, 1.44), compared to women in the highest tertile (range 9.90-235), who had an adjusted mean of 0.24 ng/mL (95% CI = 0.12-0.48, p < 0.05). The negative association between urinary concentrations of certain phthalate metabolites with FF AMH concentrations may have implications for antral follicle recruitment and fertility treatment outcomes.

Clinical outcomes of potential high responders after individualized FSH dosing based on anti-Müllerian hormone and body weight

RESEARCH QUESTION

How does the efficacy and safety of individualized follitropin delta dosing compare with conventional dosing for ovarian stimulation in potential high responders?

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of 153 potential high responders identified on the basis of baseline serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels above 35 pmol/l, who were originally randomized to an individualized fixed dose of follitropin delta based on AMH and body weight (n = 78) or to a daily starting dose of 150 IU follitropin alfa (n = 75).

RESULTS

At the end of stimulation, patients treated with individualized follitropin delta or conventional follitropin alfa had 12.1 ± 7.0 and 18.3 ± 7.0 (P < 0.001) follicles measuring 12 mm or wider, and 27.3% and 62.7% had serum progesterone levels higher than 3.18 nmol/l (P < 0.001), respectively. Overall number of oocytes in these two respective arms was 9.3 ± 6.7 and 17.9 ± 8.7 (P < 0.001), and the ongoing pregnancy rate per started cycle after fresh blastocyst transfer was 28.2% and 24.0%. The risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) for all cases was three times higher in the conventional follitropin alfa arm at 16.0% versus 5.1% with individualized follitropin delta treatment (P = 0.025) and 26.7% versus 7.7% (P = 0.001) for early moderate or severe OHSS, preventive interventions for early OHSS, or both.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with individualized follitropin delta provides an improved efficacy-safety balance in women with high ovarian reserve, as it normalizes the ovarian response and decreases the risk of OHSS without compromising the chance of pregnancy.

Nomogram of age-specific anti-Müllerian hormone levels in healthy Egyptian females

BACKGROUND

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is an important determinant of ovarian reserve in fertility workups in many clinical settings. Thus, we investigated the age dependent decline in AMH specific to the Egyptian population and sought to establish an age dependent reference interval parametrically.

METHODS

Serum samples were collected from 841 apparently healthy women. AMH was measured using an electro-chemiluminescent technique. Box-Cox power transformation was used to make the AMH distribution Gaussian for parametric derivation of reference intervals.

RESULTS

Power of 0.4 was found optimal for Gaussian transformation of AMH reference values. We demonstrate the strong negative relation between circulating AMH and female age with Spearman's correlation coefficient of rS = -0.528. Age-specific reference interval was determined for every 5 years of age from 16 to 49, and nomogram was constructed by smoothing the lines connecting adjacent lower and upper reference limits.

CONCLUSION

The age-specific reference intervals and the age-AMH nomogram could be valuable in the clinical practice of in reproductive medicine. To our knowledge, this is the first study to confirm AMH levels in Egyptian females. We were able to explore age-related AMH levels specific to Egyptian females in the fertile age group and to treat skewed AMH data in a multi-step scheme using power transformation. Thus, a more accurate nomogram was constructed accommodating a profile delineated for a wide age range and a rescaled AMH axis improving its usability.

Challenges in Measuring AMH in the Clinical Setting

Serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is a widely used marker of functional ovarian reserve in the assessment and treatment of infertility. It is used to determine dosing of gonadotropins used for superovulation prior to in vitro fertilization, as well as to determine the degree of damage to ovarian reserve by cytotoxic treatments such as chemotherapy. AMH is also now used to predict proximity to menopause and potentially provides a sensitive and specific test for polycystic ovarian syndrome. Twenty one different AMH immunoassay platforms/methods are now commercially available. Of those compared, the random-access platforms are the most reliable. However, to date there has not been an agreed common international AMH reference preparation to standardize calibration between the various immunoassays. Recently, a purified human AMH preparation (code 16/190) has been investigated by the World Health Organization as a potential international reference preparation. However, this was only partially successful as commutability between it and serum samples was observed only in some but not all immunoassay methods. Development of a second generation reference preparation with wider commutability is proposed.

Extracellular microRNAs: key players to explore the outcomes of in vitro fertilization

BACKGROUND

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules that modulate post-transcriptional gene regulation. They are often used as promising non-invasive biomarkers for the early diagnosis of cancer. However, their roles in assisted reproduction are still unknown.

METHODS

This prospective study was designed to evaluate the expression profiles of seven extracellular miRNAs (miR-7-5p, miR-202-5p, miR-378-3p, miR-224, miR-320a, miR-212-3p, and miR-21-5p) in human follicular fluid (FF) to explore the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Of 255 women, 145 were without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and their ovarian assets were normal (NOR), while 110 were with normo-androgenic PCOS.

RESULTS

The combination of six FF miRNAs expression profile discriminated between PCOS and NOR women with a sensitivity of 79.2% and a specificity of 87.32% (AUC = 0.881 [0.61; 0.92], p = 0.001). MiR-202-5p significantly had a lower abundance level, and miR-378-3p had a high abundance level in pooled FF samples from patients treated with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) than those treated with recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) (p < 0.001). Our results showed that miRNA-320a was significantly different in top-quality embryos versus non-top-quality embryos on day 3 in NOR patients with a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 71%, (AUC = [0.753 (0.651; 0.855)], p = 0.001). For clinical pregnancy outcome prediction, FF miRNA-21 exhibited high sensitivity (74.8%) and specificity (83.7%) with the AUC value of 0.774 (0.682; 0.865).

CONCLUSION

Conclusively, our results provide evidence that miR-7-5p, miR-378-3p, miR-224, miR-212-3p were a differentially high expression in normo-androgenic PCOS patients than NOR patients. While miRNA-320a was significantly different in top-quality embryos versus non-top-quality embryos on day 3 (p = 0.001). The expression level of FF miR-212-3p was significantly related to the probability of embryos to develop into a high-quality blastocyst in patients with normal ovarian reserve.

Response to ovulation induction treatments in women with polycystic ovary syndrome as a function of serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels

PURPOSE

To assess whether anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) can predict response to ovulation induction (OI) with clomiphene citrate (CC), letrozole (LET), or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing OI/intrauterine inseminations (IUI).

METHODS

A total of 738 OI/IUI cycles from 242 patients at an academic center were stratified in three groups by medication: CC (n = 295), LET (n = 180), and FSH (n = 263), in a retrospective fashion. Ovarian response to treatment (RT, development of at least one dominant follicle) was assessed using mixed effects logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Overall, RT cycles had lower AMH levels compared to no-RT cycles (p < 0.001). This finding persisted when analysis was limited to oral agents but attenuated in FSH cycles. For CC and LET cycles, the predicted probability (PProb) for RT decreased as AMH levels increased (PProb (95%CI): 97% (93-100), 79% (70-88), and 75% (61-89); 85% (78-93), 75% (67-83), and 73% (63-86) for AMH pct.: ≤ 25th, ≥ 50th, and ≥ 75th, for CC and LET, respectively)). However, RT was noted in 98.5% of FSH/IUI cycles regardless of AMH. For CC cycles, those with AMH ≥ 75th pct. had lower odds for RT over cycles with AMH < 75th pct. (OR 0.2, 95%CI 0.04-0.8, p = 0.02). Similarly, lower odds for RT were observed in LET cycles with AMH ≥ 75th pct. (0.6, 0.3-1.4, p = 0.25).

CONCLUSION

In PCOS, increasing serum AMH levels are associated with lower probability of RT to oral agents. Our findings constitute a valuable tool for the clinician when counseling PCOS patients and designing a personalized ovulation induction treatment strategy.

Pretreatment antimüllerian hormone levels and outcomes of ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins/intrauterine insemination cycles

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association, if any, between serum antimüllerian hormone (AMH) levels and probability of clinical pregnancy and spontaneous abortion (SAB) in the infertility setting.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Academic fertility center.

PATIENT(S)

A total of 1,861 gonadotropin stimulation/intrauterine insemination cycles stratified by AMH levels into 3 groups: Low, <25th percentile (<0.7 ng/mL); Middle, ≥25th and <75th percentile (0.7-4.4 ng/mL); and High, ≥75th percentile (≥4.5 ng/mL).

INTERVENTION(S)

Intrauterine insemination after stimulation with gonadotropins.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Cumulative probability of clinical pregnancy over a maximum of 3 and/or 6 cycles and SAB incidence risk rate (IRR). The Kaplan-Meier failure function (log rank test), Cox proportional hazards models, and multilevel mixed-effects Poisson regression models were performed to compare outcomes among the AMH groups.

RESULT(S)

Overall, in both unadjusted and adjusted models, the probability of achieving a clinical pregnancy was higher in the Middle and High AMH groups compared with that in the Low AMH group, both over 3 (hazard ratios [95% confidence interval], 1.55 [1.05-2.29] and 1.85 [1.22-2.81], respectively) and 6 (1.71 [1.17-2.48] and 2.12 [1.42-3.16], respectively) cycles. In the unadjusted models, the SAB IRR was higher among the Low AMH group (IRR [95% confidence interval], 2.17 (1.11-4.24]), with the relationship persisting after adjusting for age (1.83 [0.93-3.60]). When the SAB IRR were calculated separately for the subpopulations with and without polycystic ovary syndrome, a similar relationship was noted among the latter in the unadjusted (1.94 [0.97-3.88]) and adjusted (1.74 [0.86-3.49]) analyses.

CONCLUSION(S)

In women undergoing gonadotropin stimulation/intrauterine insemination, AMH appears to affect the probability of achieving a clinical pregnancy. A possible negative impact, independent of age, on the risk of SAB was also suggested.

Validation study of the Access antimüllerian hormone assay for the prediction of poor ovarian response to controlled ovarian stimulation

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the antimüllerian hormone (AMH) level determined using the Access AMH assay for predicting poor ovarian response (POR) defined as ≤4 oocytes retrieved, including the validation of the predefined AMH cutoff of 0.93 ng/mL in both serum and plasma.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Fifteen private and academic fertility centers (14 in the United States and 1 in Canada).

PATIENT(S)

Women aged 21-45 years planning controlled ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization.

INTERVENTION(S)

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Number of oocytes retrieved, categorized as POR and normal-to-high ovarian response (non-POR). The correlation of AMH level and antral follicle count.

RESULT(S)

Data were available for 472 participants who completed the study (74 with POR and 398 non-POR). The mean AMH serum level among those with POR was 0.99 ng/mL (median 0.76 ng/mL) compared with 2.83 ng/mL (median 2.36 ng/mL) among the normal-to-high responders. For confirmation of the 0.93 ng/mL AMH level cutoff as a predictor of POR, a receiver operating characteristic analysis gave an area under the curve of 0.852, with corresponding sensitivity and specificity of 63.5% and 89.2%, respectively. The associated positive predictive value was 52.2% and the negative predictive value was 92.9%. The AMH plasma values demonstrated a strong correlation with AMH serum values with an r value = 0.9980. The previously established AMH cutoff of 1.77 ng/mL for antral follicle count >15 resulted in a sensitivity of 83.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 77.7-88.5) and a specificity of 59.9% (95% CI 54.2-65.4).

CONCLUSION(S)

This study validated the previously established AMH cut-point for the prediction of POR. Because this cut-point may vary depending on the assay used, the specific AMH assay should be reported in the literature whenever possible.

Clinical Applications of Serum Anti-Müllerian Hormone Measurements in Both Males and Females: An Update

Infertility is one of the most common non-communicable diseases, affecting both men and women equally. Ovarian reserve, the number of primordial follicles in the ovaries is believed to be the most important determinants for female fertility. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) secreted from granulosa cells of growing follicles is recognized as the most important biomarker for ovarian reserve. Ovarian reserve models have been developed using AMH and other hormonal indicators, thus childbearing plans and reproductive choices could be arranged by women. In assisted reproductive technology cycles, measurement of AMH helps to predict ovarian response and guide recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone dosing in women. Serum AMH level is increasingly being recognized as a potential surrogate marker for polycystic ovarian morphology, one of the criteria for diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome. AMH is also secreted by Sertoli cells of testes in men, and AMH measurements in the prediction of surgical sperm recovery rate in men have also been investigated. AMH levels are significantly higher in boys than in girls before puberty. Therefore, serum levels of AMH in combination with testosterone is used for the differential diagnosis of disorders of sex development, anorchia, non-obstructive azoospermia, and persistent Müllerian duct syndrome. Recently, serum AMH measurements have also been used in fertility preservation programs in oncofertility, screening for granulosa cell tumors, and prediction of menopause applications. In this review, we will focus on clinical application of AMH in fertility assessments for healthy men and women, as well as for cancer patients.

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Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) plays a key role in models assessing ovarian reserve

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AMH is used for the differential diagnosis of disorders of sex development

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AMH provides a molecular marker for related fertility and infertility disorders

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An international standard will aid in the development of various AMH assays

Variation in the Measurement of Anti-Müllerian Hormone - What Are the Laboratory Issues?

Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) is a 140 kDa homodimeric glycoprotein consisting of two identical subunits linked by disulphide bonds and is synthesised by the testes and ovaries. Its clinical applications are prediction of ovarian response and gonadotropin dose selection upon in vitro fertilization. In males, AMH is used to investigate sexual developmental disorders and gonadal function. AMH is commonly assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or automated immunoassay formats that show variation between methods. This review applies fundamental chemical pathology concepts to explain the observed analytical variation of AMH measurement. We examine the lack of standardisation between AMH assays, the impact of antibody design on variable measurements, consider the analytical detection of AMH isoforms, review analytical interference in AMH measurement, and briefly assess systematic bias between AMH assays. The improved attempt at standardising AMH measurement by the recent approval of a WHO Reference Reagent offers promise for harmonising immunoassay results and establishing consensus medical cut-off points for AMH in disease. Standardisation, however, will need to redress the issue of poor commutability of standard reference material and further assign a standard reference procedure to quantify AMH standard reference material. The improvement of the analytical phase of AMH testing will support harmonised method development and patient care.

Affected Ovary Relative Volume: A Novel Sonographic Predictor of Ovarian Reserve in Patients with Unilateral Endometrioma-A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

The assessment of ovarian reserve in the case of endometrioma is of pivotal importance for planning a tailored management. However, both the antral follicle count (AFC) and the antimüllerian hormone (AMH) dosage are subject to a fair degree of variability in ovarian endometriosis. This study aimed to identify a sonographic parameter of ovarian reserve that could implement current available markers in patients with unilateral endometrioma.

METHODS

Patients with unilateral endometrioma admitted to our Endometriosis Center between March 2018 and April 2019 were enrolled. Transvaginal ultrasonography for the evaluation of eight sonographic indicators and AMH level determination were performed. The relationship between AMH level and each indicator was assessed.

RESULTS

Thirty-four women were included. There was a positive significant correlation between AMH level and the healthy ovary AFC (HO-AFC) (r = 0.36 p = 0.034). A stronger, negative correlation between AMH level and the ratio between the volume of the affected and the healthy ovary (affected ovary relative volume, AORV) (r = -0.47; p = 0.005) was evidenced. AORV had a satisfactory accuracy (AUC 0.73; CI 0.61-0.90; p = 0.0008), and the cut-off value of 5.96 had the best balance of sensitivity/specificity in distinguishing between patients with a good ovarian reserve (AMH ≥ 2 ng/mL) and those at risk of ovarian reserve depletion after excisional surgery.

CONCLUSION

AORV may be a useful tool to assess ovarian reserve in patients with unilateral endometrioma without previous surgery and to guide physicians in clinical management.

A patient-specific model combining antimüllerian hormone and body mass index as a predictor of polycystic ovary syndrome and other oligo-anovulation disorders

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether a patient-specific predictive model combining antimüllerian hormone (AMH) levels and body mass index (BMI) can aid in the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and other ovulatory dysfunction disorders (OVDYS) among infertile women.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Academic fertility center.

PATIENT(S)

One thousand and ten infertile women undergoing 3,160 intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles, stratified by diagnosis in three groups: PCOS, OVDYS, and other etiologies.

INTERVENTION(S)

Ovulation induction followed by IUI or ultrasound-monitored natural cycles.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

The probability of either PCOS or OVDYS diagnosis based on AMH levels alone and a patient-specific predictive model that combines serum AMH and patient's BMI.

RESULT(S)

Median and interquartile range (IQR) for the serum AMH levels (ng/mL) were the highest in women with PCOS, and lowest in those with other infertility causes. Overall, for every 1 ng/mL increase in AMH, the odds of PCOS and OVDYS versus other causes increased by 55% and 24%, respectively. Postestimation from multivariate logistic regression models showed that PCOS diagnosis can be predicted with lower AMH values in women with a higher BMI compared with the AMH values predicting PCOS in normal-weight or underweight patients. The receiver operating characteristic curves reinforced these findings, and the best cutoffs for PCOS diagnosis were 7.5, 4.4, and 4.1 ng/mL for women belonging to the BMI groups 18.5-24.9, 25.0-29.9, and ≥30.0 kg/m², respectively.

CONCLUSION(S)

Taking into account AMH and BMI, we developed a model that predicts the probability of an oligo-anovulation diagnosis, thus facilitating patient-specific counseling in the infertility setting.

Follicular fluid anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations and outcomes of in vitro fertilization cycles with fresh embryo transfer among women at a fertility center

PURPOSE

To enhance the understanding of the clinical significance of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in follicular fluid, we aimed to determine the variability of AMH concentrations in follicular fluid within and across IVF cycles and whether high follicular fluid AMH concentrations are associated with improved clinical IVF outcomes.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of companion follicular fluid and serum samples from 162 women enrolled in the Environment and Reproductive Health (EARTH) Study between 2010 and 2016. AMH concentrations were quantified using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Spearman correlation and intra-class correlation (ICC) were calculated to assess variability of follicular fluid AMH, and generalized linear mixed models were used to evaluate the associations of FF AMH with IVF outcomes.

RESULTS

The median (interquartile range, IQR) age of the 162 women was 34.0 years (32.0, 37.0). Follicular fluid AMH concentrations were highly correlated between follicles within each IVF cycle (Spearman r = 0.78 to 0.86) and across cycles for each woman (ICC 0.87 (95% CI 0.81 to 0.92)). Compared with women in the highest tertile of FF AMH (mean AMH = 2.3 ng/ml), women in the lowest tertile (mean AMH = 0.2 ng/ml) had lower serum AMH (T1 = 0.1 ng/ml vs. T3 = 0.6 ng/ml, p < 0.0001). In adjusted models, higher tertiles of follicular fluid AMH concentrations were associated with lower mean endometrial thickness and higher probability of clinical pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Follicular fluid AMH concentrations show little variability between pre-ovulatory follicles, and higher pre-ovulatory follicular fluid AMH may predict a higher probability of clinical pregnancy.

An Ovarian Reserve Assessment Model Based on Anti-Müllerian Hormone Levels, Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Levels, and Age: Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Previously, we reported a model for assessing ovarian reserves using 4 predictors: anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level, antral follicle count (AFC), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level, and female age. This model is referred as the AAFA (anti-Müllerian hormone level-antral follicle count-follicle-stimulating hormone level-age) model.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore the possibility of establishing a model for predicting ovarian reserves using only 3 factors: AMH level, FSH level, and age. The proposed model is referred to as the AFA (anti-Müllerian hormone level-follicle-stimulating hormone level-age) model.

METHODS

Oocytes from ovarian cycles stimulated by gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist were collected retrospectively at our reproductive center. Poor ovarian response (<5 oocytes retrieved) was defined as an outcome variable. The AFA model was built using a multivariable logistic regression analysis on data from 2017; data from 2018 were used to validate the performance of AFA model. Measurements of the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predicative value were used to evaluate the performance of the model. To rank the ovarian reserves of the whole population, we ranked the subgroups according to the predicted probability of poor ovarian response and further divided the 60 subgroups into 4 clusters, A-D, according to cut-off values consistent with the AAFA model.

RESULTS

The AUCs of the AFA and AAFA models were similar for the same validation set, with values of 0.853 (95% CI 0.841-0.865) and 0.850 (95% CI 0.838-0.862), respectively. We further ranked the ovarian reserves according to their predicted probability of poor ovarian response, which was calculated using our AFA model. The actual incidences of poor ovarian response in groups from A-D in the AFA model were 0.037 (95% CI 0.029-0.046), 0.128 (95% CI 0.099-0.165), 0.294 (95% CI 0.250-0.341), and 0.624 (95% CI 0.577-0.669), respectively. The order of ovarian reserve from adequate to poor followed the order from A to D. The clinical pregnancy rate, live-birth rate, and specific differences in groups A-D were similar when predicted using the AFA and AAFA models.

CONCLUSIONS

This AFA model for assessing the true ovarian reserve was more convenient, cost-effective, and objective than our original AAFA model.

Large ovarian endometriomas are associated with high pre-operative anti-Müllerian hormone concentrations

RESEARCH QUESTION

Are large ovarian endometriomas associated with high pre-operative anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations?

DESIGN

Data from 332 women who underwent AMH measurement before surgery for endometriosis were prospectively recorded in a large database. Univariate analysis compared AMH concentrations in terms of the patients' baseline characteristics. A multivariate model was used to identify variables having an independent relationship with AMH concentration.

RESULTS

Among 332 women included in the study, 47.6% were aged 18-30 years, 67.8% were infertile and 85.5% were nulliparous. A total of 66.3% had ovarian endometriomas, and 10.8% had cysts measuring over 6 cm. Bilateral cysts over 3 cm were recorded in 24.7% of the women. Univariate analysis identified two variables that had a statistically significant relationship with AMH concentration: the woman's age (P = 0.01) and cyst size (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that ages of 36-40 years and over 40 years showed a significant association with lower AMH concentrations (P = 0.02 and P = 0.009, respectively), while a cyst size of over 6 cm was statistically associated with high AMH concentrations (P < 0.001), after adjustment for smoking, parity, rectosigmoid endometriotic nodules and a bilateral location of endometriomas.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-operative AMH concentration was significantly increased in women with large endometriomas of over 6 cm, independent of their age or the presence of bilateral endometriomas. This is relevant for both surgeons and patients when planning surgery in women with an intention to conceive post-operatively.

Establishment of a WHO Reference Reagent for anti-Mullerian hormone

BACKGROUND

There is a need for a reference material to support the development and ensure the quality of immunoassays for human AMH. A batch of ampoules, coded 16/190, containing lyophilised recombinant AMH was evaluated in a WHO Collaborative Study. The aims of the study were to determine the AMH content in terms of the calibration of each immunoassay method, to predict long-term stability and to assess the suitability of the preparation to calibrate AMH immunoassays.

METHODS

Study participants were asked to report the AMH content of specific dilutions of coded ampoules of 16/190 and a comparator preparation containing approximately half the AMH content. In each assay, participants also reported the AMH content of 22 patient samples to assess commutability. A robust all-laboratory geometric mean of the content estimates was determined using the laboratory geometric mean estimates. Commutability was assessed using a difference in bias approach. Stability was predicted by the measurement of thermally accelerated degradation samples.

RESULTS

Seven laboratories performed twenty-one immunoassay method-platform combinations, sixteen of which provided data which met the validity criteria, giving a consensus geometric mean estimate of AMH content of 511 ng/ampoule (95% CI, 426-612, n = 16, GCV 42%) and a robust geometric mean of 489 ng/ampoule. By contrast, the GCV% for the all-laboratory geometric mean of the relative content estimates for the comparator sample to 16/190 was 12%. Commutability was assessed using 20 of the 22 representative patient samples. Of the valid assays, 16/190 was within the limits of acceptable commutability for 6 methods, partially commutable for a further 3 methods and non-commutable when measured by 7 methods. The preparation was predicted to be highly stable when stored at - 20 °C.

CONCLUSION

The majority of methods met the validity criteria. Content estimates showed a high between-method variability, yet assays exhibited a similar proportionality of response as demonstrated using the comparator sample. 16/190 was commutable in some but not all methods. On the basis of these results, it was agreed by the WHO Expert Committee on Biological Standardization to establish 16/190 as a WHO Reference Reagent for AMH with a content defined by consensus immunoassay of 489 ng/ampoule.

The role of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in ovarian disease and infertility

PURPOSE

In this review, the current knowledge on anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is presented, concerning its value in disease and IVF treatment as well as in terms of its prospective clinical use.

METHODS

AMH is becoming the most appropriate biomarker for the ovarian reserve measured predominantly for assisted reproductive treatment (ART) patients in comparison to the currently used antral follicle count (AFC). However, this is not the only way AMH measurements can be used in the clinics. Because of this, we reviewed the current literature for the use of AMH in current or prospective clinical practice.

RESULTS

We found that AMH has a high predictive value in assessing the ovarian reserve, which can lead to a better efficiency of in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. It has a high potential to be developed as a staple diagnostic marker of ovarian disease, especially for ovarian cancers and even as a possible treatment tool for certain cancers. It could potentially be used to prevent oocyte loss due to chemo- or radiotherapy.

CONCLUSION

AMH is an important hormone especially in women reproductive organs and is currently seen as the best biomarker for a multitude of uses in reproductive medicine. Currently, the biggest issue lies in the lack of international standardization of AMH. However, it is encouraging to see that there is interest in AMH in the form of research on its action and use in reproductive medicine.

Neoadjuvant Treatment With Müllerian-Inhibiting Substance Synchronizes Follicles and Enhances Superovulation Yield

Müllerian-inhibiting substance (MIS), also known as anti-Müllerian hormone, is thought to be a negative regulator of primordial follicle activation. We have previously reported that treatment with exogenous MIS can induce complete ovarian suppression within 5 weeks of treatment in mice. To investigate the kinetics of the return of folliculogenesis following the reversal of suppression, we treated animals with recombinant human MIS (rhMIS) protein for 40 days in adult female Nu/Nu mice and monitored the recovery of each follicle type over time. Following cessation of MIS therapy, secondary, and antral follicles returned within 30 days, along with the normalization of reproductive hormones, including LH, FSH, MIS, and Inhibin B. Furthermore, 30 days following MIS pretreatment, the number of antral follicles were significantly higher than controls, and superovulation with timed pregnant mare serum gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation at this time point resulted in an approximately threefold increased yield of eggs. Use of the combined rhMIS-gonadotropin superovulation regimen in a diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) mouse model, created by 4-vinylcyclohexene dioxide treatment, also resulted in a twofold improvement in the yield of eggs. In conclusion, treatment with rhMIS can induce a reversible ovarian suppression, following which a rapid and synchronized large initial wave of growing follicles can be harnessed to enhance the response to superovulation. Therapies modulating MIS signaling may therefore augment the response to current ovarian stimulation protocols and could be particularly useful to women with DOR or poor responders to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation during in vitro fertilization.

Paediatric reference intervals for plasma anti-Müllerian hormone: comparison of data from the Roche Elecsys assay and the Beckman Coulter Access assay using the same cohort of samples

Background

Autoanalyser methods for the measurement of anti-Müllerian hormone have been introduced into clinical laboratories but few reports of paediatric reference intervals using these new assays have been published.

Methods

After prior evaluation of the Roche Elecsys anti-Müllerian hormone assay against the Beckman Coulter modified second generation anti-Müllerian Hormone enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using samples from adult females, a cohort of paediatric samples which had previously been assessed using the Beckman Coulter Access anti-Müllerian hormone assay was analysed using the Roche Elecsys anti-Müllerian hormone assay.

Results

The Roche Elecsys anti-Müllerian hormone assay measured significantly lower than the Beckman Coulter modified second generation anti-Müllerian Hormone enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In the paediatric cohort measured with the Roche Elecsys assay, male levels are very high from birth to puberty after which they fall towards postpubertal female levels. Male results were similar to those previously obtained using the Beckman Coulter Access anti-Müllerian hormone assay on the same cohort. Roche Elecsys anti-Müllerian hormone in the females was very low in the neonatal and prepubertal years and the postpubertal trend, with a steady rise from 15 years, was smoother than previously modelled using the Beckman Coulter Access anti-Müllerian hormone assay.

Conclusion

Anti-Müllerian hormone levels measured with the Roche Elecsys assay were significantly lower than the Beckman Coulter modified second generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay suggesting the need for new reference ranges. In the paediatric cohort, Roche Elecsys anti-Müllerian hormone levels between boys and girls showed good prepubertal delineation and small but statistically significant differences to previously measured levels using the Beckman Coulter Access anti-Müllerian hormone assay on the same sample cohort.

Quantification of Müllerian Inhibiting Substance/Anti-Müllerian Hormone polypeptide by isotope dilution mass spectrometry

Measurement of serum concentrations of Müllerian inhibiting substance (MIS), also known as anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) by immunoassay is gaining clinical acceptance and widespread use for the diagnosis of ovarian conditions and for prediction of the response to ovarian stimulation protocols as part of assisted reproductive therapies. Provision of an International Standard to harmonize immunoassay methods is required. It is desirable for the content of a future International Standard to be assigned in mass units for consistency with the units reported by current methods. Isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS), a physicochemical method with traceability to the SI (Système International d'Unités) unit of mass, is a candidate approach to provide orthogonal data to support this mass assignment. Here, we report on the development of an IDMS method for quantitation of AMH using three peptides from different regions of the AMH monomer as surrogates for the measurement of AMH. We show the sensitivity and linearity of the standard peptides and demonstrate the reproducibility and consistency of the measurement amongst the three peptides for determining the AMH content in buffered preparations and in trial preparations of recombinant AMH, lyophilised in the presence of an excess of bovine casein.