Interactions between serum FSH, inhibin B and antral follicle count in the decline of serum AMH during the menstrual cycle in late reproductive age

Abstract Objective To investigate the hormonal interrelationships during the menstrual cycle in women of late reproductive age with suppressed serum AMH and antral follicle count (AFC). Methods Serum hormones (AMH, FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, inhibin A, inhibin B), AFC (2‐10 mm) and AMH/AFC ra...

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Main Authors: David M. Robertson, Chel Hee Lee, Angela Baerwald
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-04-01
Series:Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/edm2.172
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author David M. Robertson
Chel Hee Lee
Angela Baerwald
author_facet David M. Robertson
Chel Hee Lee
Angela Baerwald
author_sort David M. Robertson
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective To investigate the hormonal interrelationships during the menstrual cycle in women of late reproductive age with suppressed serum AMH and antral follicle count (AFC). Methods Serum hormones (AMH, FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, inhibin A, inhibin B), AFC (2‐10 mm) and AMH/AFC ratio (an estimate of AMH/follicle) were assessed every 2‐3 days across the menstrual cycle in 26 healthy ovulatory women aged 18‐50 years. Results An 11‐fold fall in AMH/AFC was observed in women aged ≥45 years compared to those 18‐45 years (P < .001). Although women ≥45 years exhibited normal menstrual cycle patterns of serum estradiol, progesterone, LH and inhibin A, FSH was elevated (P < .001) and inhibin B suppressed (P < .001) compared to the younger group. Overall FSH was inversely correlated (r = .55, P < .05) and AMH directly correlated (r = .88, P < .01) with AFC; however, these relationships were curvilinear and more pronounced when AFC was low. Inhibin B was directly linearly correlated (r = .70, P < .01) with AFC across both high and low AMH/follicle groups. Conclusions It is hypothesized that the marked fall in AMH/follicle in late reproductive age is attributed to the change in the hormonal interplay between the pituitary and ovary. The fall in AFC leads to a decrease in inhibin B and a concomitant increase in FSH by a recognized feedback mechanism. It is postulated the elevated FSH suppresses AMH either directly or indirectly through oocyte‐specific growth factors leading to a marked fall in AMH/follicle. We propose that pituitary‐ovarian and intra‐ovarian regulatory systems underpin the accelerated fall in AMH/follicle during the transition to menopause.
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spelling doaj.art-a4b26a770f34409d8514faa965e9e4b12022-12-21T23:31:36ZengWileyEndocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism2398-92382021-04-0142n/an/a10.1002/edm2.172Interactions between serum FSH, inhibin B and antral follicle count in the decline of serum AMH during the menstrual cycle in late reproductive ageDavid M. Robertson0Chel Hee Lee1Angela Baerwald2Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VictoriaMonash University Clayton Victoria AustraliaDepartment of Mathematics and Statistics University of Calgary Alberta CanadaDepartment of Academic Family Medicine College of MedicineUniversity of Saskatchewan Saskatchewan CanadaAbstract Objective To investigate the hormonal interrelationships during the menstrual cycle in women of late reproductive age with suppressed serum AMH and antral follicle count (AFC). Methods Serum hormones (AMH, FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, inhibin A, inhibin B), AFC (2‐10 mm) and AMH/AFC ratio (an estimate of AMH/follicle) were assessed every 2‐3 days across the menstrual cycle in 26 healthy ovulatory women aged 18‐50 years. Results An 11‐fold fall in AMH/AFC was observed in women aged ≥45 years compared to those 18‐45 years (P < .001). Although women ≥45 years exhibited normal menstrual cycle patterns of serum estradiol, progesterone, LH and inhibin A, FSH was elevated (P < .001) and inhibin B suppressed (P < .001) compared to the younger group. Overall FSH was inversely correlated (r = .55, P < .05) and AMH directly correlated (r = .88, P < .01) with AFC; however, these relationships were curvilinear and more pronounced when AFC was low. Inhibin B was directly linearly correlated (r = .70, P < .01) with AFC across both high and low AMH/follicle groups. Conclusions It is hypothesized that the marked fall in AMH/follicle in late reproductive age is attributed to the change in the hormonal interplay between the pituitary and ovary. The fall in AFC leads to a decrease in inhibin B and a concomitant increase in FSH by a recognized feedback mechanism. It is postulated the elevated FSH suppresses AMH either directly or indirectly through oocyte‐specific growth factors leading to a marked fall in AMH/follicle. We propose that pituitary‐ovarian and intra‐ovarian regulatory systems underpin the accelerated fall in AMH/follicle during the transition to menopause.https://doi.org/10.1002/edm2.172BMP15cumulinestradiolGDF9inhibin Amenopause
spellingShingle David M. Robertson
Chel Hee Lee
Angela Baerwald
Interactions between serum FSH, inhibin B and antral follicle count in the decline of serum AMH during the menstrual cycle in late reproductive age
Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism
BMP15
cumulin
estradiol
GDF9
inhibin A
menopause
title Interactions between serum FSH, inhibin B and antral follicle count in the decline of serum AMH during the menstrual cycle in late reproductive age
title_full Interactions between serum FSH, inhibin B and antral follicle count in the decline of serum AMH during the menstrual cycle in late reproductive age
title_fullStr Interactions between serum FSH, inhibin B and antral follicle count in the decline of serum AMH during the menstrual cycle in late reproductive age
title_full_unstemmed Interactions between serum FSH, inhibin B and antral follicle count in the decline of serum AMH during the menstrual cycle in late reproductive age
title_short Interactions between serum FSH, inhibin B and antral follicle count in the decline of serum AMH during the menstrual cycle in late reproductive age
title_sort interactions between serum fsh inhibin b and antral follicle count in the decline of serum amh during the menstrual cycle in late reproductive age
topic BMP15
cumulin
estradiol
GDF9
inhibin A
menopause
url https://doi.org/10.1002/edm2.172
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