Anti-Müllerian hormone and assessment of ovarian reserve after ovarian toxic treatment: a systematic narrative review

Reprod Sci. 2015 May;22(5):519-26. doi: 10.1177/1933719114549856. Epub 2014 Sep 16.

Abstract

Since serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels enable quantitative evaluation of ovarian damage, we conducted a computer-based search, using key words, of all articles published in English through the PubMed database from inception until September 2013 to summarize available studies evaluating ovarian reserve after ovarian toxic interventions to discuss the usefulness of serum AMH levels. We found that most of the studies demonstrated a decline in serum AMH levels when compared to control or pretreatment levels, with levels dependent on the type of treatment modality. Measurement of serum AMH levels enables quantitative evaluation of ovarian damage caused by ovarian toxic interventions, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, instead of qualitative evaluation using menstrual condition or basal follicle-stimulating hormone levels. Serum AMH levels are becoming indispensable to assess the ovarian reserve of patients who desire preservation of ovarian function for fertility and endogenous sex steroid hormones.

Keywords: anti-Müllerian hormone; chemotherapy; oncofertility; ovarian reserve.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Mullerian Hormone / blood*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Down-Regulation
  • Female
  • Fertility Preservation
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Female / blood
  • Infertility, Female / chemically induced*
  • Infertility, Female / physiopathology
  • Ovarian Reserve / drug effects*
  • Ovarian Reserve / radiation effects*
  • Ovary / drug effects*
  • Ovary / metabolism
  • Ovary / pathology
  • Ovary / physiopathology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Radiation Injuries / blood
  • Radiation Injuries / etiology*
  • Radiation Injuries / physiopathology
  • Radiotherapy / adverse effects
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • Anti-Mullerian Hormone