Serum Anti-Müllerian Hormone in the Prediction of Response to hCG Stimulation in Children With DSD

Abstract

Introduction: The relationship between serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and the testosterone response to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulation test is unclear.

Methods: Children who had hCG stimulation tests in one tertiary centre from 2001 to 2018 were included (n = 138). Serum testosterone was measured before (day 1 [D1]) and after 3 days (D4) of hCG stimulation. Sixty-one of these children also had prolonged hCG stimulation for 2 more weeks and serum testosterone measured after 21 days (D22). All children had a serum AMH measured on D1.

Results: Of the 138 children, D4 testosterone was normal in 104 (75%). AMH was low in 24/138 (17%) children, and 16 (67%) of these had a low D4 testosterone. Median AMH in those who had a normal vs low D4 testosterone was 850 pmol/L (24, 2280) and 54 pmol/L (0.4, 1664), respectively (P < 0.0001). An AMH > 5th centile was associated with a low D4 testosterone in 18/118 (13%; P < 0.0001). Of the 61 children who had prolonged hCG stimulation, D22 testosterone was normal in 39 (64%). AMH was low in 10/61(16%) children and 9 (90%) of these had a low D22 testosterone. Median AMH in children who responded and did not respond by D22 was 639 pmol/L (107, 2280) and 261 pmol/L (15, 1034) (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion: A normal AMH may provide valuable information on overall testicular function. However, a low AMH does not necessarily predict a suboptimal testosterone response to hCG stimulation.

Keywords: AMH; DSD; androgen; testes.