A retrospective analysis of the effect of salpingectomy on serum antiMullerian hormone level and ovarian reserve

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether previous salpingectomy is associated with serum antiMullerian hormone (AMH) level and ovarian reserve in women under 40 years presenting for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively compared serum AMH levels measured on the ovulation induction initiation day in patients with unilateral salpingectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, and no tubal surgery, and examined the relationship with length of time after surgery and in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer parameters. RESULTS: A total of 198 women were included; 83 received unilateral salpingectomy, 41 bilateral salpingectomy, and 74 no tubal surgery. The baseline characteristics of the groups were similar. The mean AMH level was significantly higher in women without tubal surgery as compared with those with bilateral salpingectomy (183.48 vs 127.11 fmol/mL; P <= .037). The mean follicle stimulation hormone level was significantly lower in women without surgery as compared with those with bilateral salpingectomy (7.85 vs 9.13 mlU/mL; P = .048). No significant differences in duration of gonadotropin therapy, amount of gonadotropin used, estradiol level on the human chorionic gonadotropin injection day, thickness of the endometrium, number of oocytes retrieved, number of 2-pronuclei, viable embryos, and good quality embryos were found between the 3 groups. AMH level was not correlated with the number of oocytes or age in women that had undergone unilateral or bilateral salpingectomy. CONCLUSION: Salpingectomy is associated with decreased AMH level and increased follicle stimulation hormone in women seeking in vitro fertilization, though AMH level is not correlated with the number of oocytes retrieved in patients that have undergone unilateral or bilateral salpingectomy. These results suggest that salpingectomy is associated with decreased ovarian reserve.