Circulating antimüllerian hormone and steroid hormone levels remain high in pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome at term

Abstract

Objective: To investigate plasma antimüllerian hormone (AMH) concentration and its relation to steroid hormone levels in pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and controls at term.

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: University-affiliated hospital.

Patient(s): A total of 74 pregnant women at term: 25 women with PCOS (aged 31.6 ± 3.9 years [mean ± standard deviation], body mass index 24.0 ± 3.9 kg/m2, mean gestational length 279 ± 9 days) and 49 controls (aged 31.7 ± 3.3 years, body mass index 24.0 ± 3.3 kg/m2, mean gestational length 281 ± 9 days).

Intervention(s): None.

Main outcome measure(s): Plasma AMH and steroid hormone levels.

Result(s): Antimüllerian hormone, T, and androstenedione levels were higher in women with PCOS at term compared with controls, whereas estrogen and P levels were similar. The differences were pronounced in women carrying a female fetus. Testosterone and AMH levels correlated positively in both groups, but E₂ levels only in women with PCOS.

Conclusion(s): Pregnant women with PCOS present with elevated AMH and androgen levels even at term, suggesting a hormonal imbalance during PCOS pregnancy. Differences were detected especially in pregnancies with a female fetus, raising the question of whether female pregnancies are more susceptible to AMH and steroid hormone actions.

Keywords: Antimüllerian hormone; androgens; polycystic ovary syndrome; pregnancy.