Serum anti-Mullerian hormone and ovarian morphology assessed by magnetic resonance imaging in response to acupuncture and exercise in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: secondary analyses of a randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveTo investigate whether electro-acupuncture or physical exercise influence serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), antral follicle count (AFC) or ovarian volume in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DesignSecondary analyses of a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial. SettingUniversity Hospital, Sweden. PatientsSeventy-four women with PCOS recruited from the general population. InterventionsWomen with PCOS were randomized to 16weeks of electro-acupuncture (14 treatments), exercise (at least three times/week), or no intervention. Main outcome measuresSerum AMH recorded at baseline, after 16weeks of intervention, and at follow up at 32weeks. AFC, and ovarian volume assessed by magnetic resonance imaging at baseline and at follow up at 32weeks. ResultsAfter 16weeks of intervention, serum levels of AMH were significantly decreased in the electro-acupuncture group by 17.5% (p<0.001), and differed from the change in the exercise group. AMH remained decreased by 15% (p=0.004) also at follow up at 32weeks, but did not differ from the exercise or the no intervention groups. There was a decrease by 8.5% (p=0.015) in ovarian volume between baseline and follow up in the electro-acupuncture group, and by 11.7% (p=0.01) in AFC in the physical exercise group. No other variables were affected. ConclusionsThis study is the first to demonstrate that acupuncture reduces serum AMH levels and ovarian volume. Physical exercise did not influence circulating AMH or ovarian volume. Despite a within-group decrease in AFC, exercise did not lead to a between-group difference.