Serum Anti-Mullerian Hormone Concentrations Are Elevated in Oligomenorrheic Girls without Evidence of Hyperandrogenism

Context: Serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels are significantly elevated in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) compared to normal controls. Whether adolescents with oligomenorrhea have elevated AMH levels is unknown. Objective: This study was performed to assess serum AMH levels in oligomenorrheic (OLIGO) girls without evidence of hyperandrogenism. Design: This was a prospective study comparing AMH levels in OLIGO, PCOS, and normal control adolescents. Setting: The study was conducted through four tertiary academic medical centers. Participants: The study groups were comprised of OLIGO (n = 24), PCOS (n = 153), and normal adolescent girls (n = 39), as well as PCOS (n = 73) and normal adult women (n = 36). Interventions: In each subject, serum AMH levels were assessed in the early to midfollicular phases for regularly menstruating subjects and on an arbitrary day for OLIGO or PCOS subjects. Main Outcome Measure(s): Basal serum AMH levels were assessed among OLIGO, PCOS, and normal girls, in addition to PCOS and normal women. Results: OLIGO girls had serum AMH levels (5.33 +/- 0.47 ng/ml) that were significantly greater than the normal adolescents (3.05 +/- 0.31 ng/ml) and adults (2.33 +/- 0.22 ng/ml), but similar to values seen in the PCOS adolescents (5.28 +/- 0.26 ng/ml) and adults (6.36 +/- 0.47 ng/ml). Obese adolescents and PCOS women had significantly lower AMH levels compared to lean controls (P < 0.02). Conclusion: In OLIGO adolescents, elevated serum AMH levels suggest increased antral follicle number similar to that observed in girls with PCOS. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 95: 1786-1792, 2010)