Interpreting human follicular recruitment and antimullerian hormone concentrations throughout life

The changes in the relationships between circulating antimullerian hormone, the size of the primordial follicle pool, and follicular recruitment before and through the reproductive years have now been clarified, and show dynamic changes through sexual development. The constant relationship between the number of follicles and circulating antimullerian hormone exists only after the age of 25 years, implying that the association between follicular recruitment and follicular survival to the later stages of development is not constant across the reproductive life course. This commentary assesses the factors that may underlie these relationships and their clinical implications for reproductive health. (Fertil Steril (R) 2012;98:1097-102. (C) 2012 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)