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Investigating the relationship between body composition, lifestyle factors, and anti-Müllerian hormone serum levels in women undergoing infertility assessment

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Abstract

Background

The impact of lifestyle factors such as adiposity, smoking, stress, exercise, and nutrition on anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels remains an unresolved question.

Aims

This study aims to examine the anthropometric and lifestyle characteristics of women undergoing infertility investigations and to examine the relationship between serum AMH levels and body fat percentage, body mass index (BMI), and lifestyle factors including smoking, alcohol intake, nutrition, exercise, and stress.

Methods

Only women undergoing infertility investigations were included in the study. Those with a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were excluded. Body fat percentage was measured using the Tanita Body Composition Monitor and BMI calculated. Lifestyle factors were evaluated using the Simple Lifestyle Indicator Questionnaire (SLIQ).

Results

Ninety-six women took part in the study. Of these, 35.4% (n = 34) were obese, and 28.1% (n = 27) were overweight according to their BMI. According to body fat percentage, 47.9% (n = 46) were classified as obese. An “unhealthy “ SLIQ score was measured in 25% (n = 24) of participating women. There was no relationship between AMH and anthropometric or lifestyle factors, namely, body fat percentage (B =  − 0.11, p = 0.76), BMI (B =  − 0.14, p = 0.76), smoking [currents smokers (B =  − 1.86, p = 0.56), ex-smoker (B = 3.07, p = 0.41)], SLIQ score (B = 0.1.96, p = 0.29), stress (B = 0.12, p = 0.96), exercise (B =  − 0.94, p = 0.77), alcohol (B =  − 0.94, p = 0.77), or nutrition (B =  − 3.14, p = 2.44).

Conclusions

Body fat percentage, BMI, lifestyle choices, and high stress levels do not correlate with AMH levels in women seeking infertility investigations. We identified a high incidence of obesity and low levels of healthy lifestyle scores in our study population. Our study highlights the urgent need for patient education and optimization of pre-pregnancy health.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

    Jill Margaret Mitchell

  2. Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

    Jill Margaret Mitchell, Niamh Fee, Rishi Roopnarinesingh & Edgar V. Mocanu

  3. Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland

    Edgar V. Mocanu

Authors
  1. Jill Margaret Mitchell
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  2. Niamh Fee
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  3. Rishi Roopnarinesingh
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  4. Edgar V. Mocanu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jill Margaret Mitchell.

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Ethics approval and consent to participate

This study attained full ethical approval from the Institutional Research Ethics Committee. Informed written consent was obtained from all subject.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Highlights

AMH does not correlate with anthropometric or lifestyle factors including body fat percentage, body mass index, smoking, Simple Lifestyle Indicator Questionnaire score, stress, exercise, alcohol or nutrition.  Low SLIQ scores and high BMI (body fat composition) levels suggest pre-fertility therapy optimization of general health is a priority for all service providers.

Appendix 1. Simple lifestyle indicator questionnaire

Appendix 1. Simple lifestyle indicator questionnaire

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Mitchell, J.M., Fee, N., Roopnarinesingh, R. et al. Investigating the relationship between body composition, lifestyle factors, and anti-Müllerian hormone serum levels in women undergoing infertility assessment. Ir J Med Sci 192, 1909–1915 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-022-03148-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-022-03148-x

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