With the introduction of its automated Access AMH assay, Beckman Coulter has addressed the need for a gold-standard test to ensure consistency in measuring a woman’s ovarian reserve. Heather Harper explains.
A woman’s ovarian reserve is the quantity of eggs available for fertilisation at any point in time during her reproductive years. The use of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) by clinicians now makes it possible to predict this ovarian reserve accurately.1,2 Production of AMH is limited to the granulosa cells of the ovarian follicles and it is this relationship between AMH and the number of small growing follicles that gives it increased importance in fertility assessment and, potentially, other aspects of female reproductive health.3
Clinicians increasingly want to use AMH testing to guide them with what can be life-changing decisions for a woman and so the accuracy of measurement of AMH is critical. Over the past decade, the most significant use of AMH measurement has been in the evaluation of ovarian reserve to predict response to controlled ovarian stimulation in women with infertility issues. However, as AMH has been found to be a good indicator of reproductive ageing, it may also have a role in predicting a woman’s menopause.4
Generally, a woman with a low AMH level for her age could expect to go through an earlier menopause, while someone with a higher level at the same age might expect this to occur later. Additionally, studies have shown that the use of AMH may be useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of polycystic ovary syndrome, which affects around 10% of the female population.5
Log in or register FREE to read the rest
This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text.
If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
Register
