Follicular fluid levels of anti-Mullerian hormone as a predictor of oocyte maturation, fertilization rate, and embryonic development in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: To test whether the follicular fluid (FF) concentration of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is associated with oocyte maturation, fertilization rate, and embryonic development in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing IVF. Design: Prospective. Setting: Academic assisted reproductive technology program. Patient(s): Twenty-two samples of FF from 11 patients with PCOS who underwent IVF/ET were analyzed for AMH levels (group A). Twelve women with normal ovulatory cycles served as a control group (group B). The oocytes and preembryos were closely followed until ET. Method(s): FF was obtained at oocyte retrieval for IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection. AMH levels were studied using immunoenzymometric assay. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): FF, AMH levels, oocyte maturation, fertility rate, and embryonic cleavage rate. Result(s): The mean FFAMH level was 57.3 +/- 79.5 pmol/mL in group A, compared with 70 +/- 120.14 pmol/mL in group B. In group A, the mean AMH level of good-quality embryos was 37.4 +/- 23.4 pmol/mL, compared with 61.9 +/- 102 pmol/mL in a the poor-quality subgroup. No significant correlation was observed between FF AMH levels and oocyte maturation, fertilization, or cleavage rate. Conclusion(s): This study suggests that there is an association between FFAMH levels and the quality of embryos in patients with PCOS. However, owing to large variance and the number of participants, no statistical significance was reached. The degree of maturation of retrieved oocytes, as well as the success of fertilization, was not found to correlate with FF AMH. (Fertil Steril (R) 2010; 93: 2299-302. (C) 2010 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)