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The use of serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels and antral follicle count (AFC) to predict the number of oocytes collected and availability of embryos for cryopreservation in IVF

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Abstract

Aim

To investigate the predictive value of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and antral follicle count (AFC) on the final number of oocytes retrieved and the availability of embryos for cryopreservation in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles.

Patients and methods

In this prospective study, one hundred and twenty women in their first IVF treatment were enrolled. The short stimulation agonist protocol was used for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in all cases. Serum AMH levels were measured during the menstrual cycle preceding treatment. AFC was measured in cycle day 2, just before starting ovarian stimulation.

Results

A strong, positive correlation between AMH, AFC and the number of collected oocytes was found. The patients with available and suitable supplementary embryos for cryopreservation had higher levels of AMH and larger numbers of AFC.

Conclusion

AMH and AFC appear to be valuable markers mainly for ovarian reserve and response to IVF treatment. Serum AMH levels and AFC are significantly associated with the number of retrieved oocytes. Also, a positive correlation with the availability of supernumerary embryos suitable for cryopreservation was observed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology - In Vitro Fertilization, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece

    L. Kotanidis & N. Nikolettos

  2. Embryokosmogenesis IVF Unit, Alexandroupolis, Greece

    K. Nikolettos & N. Nikolettos

  3. 3rd Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloníki, Greece

    S. Petousis

  4. Laboratory of Physiology, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece

    B. Asimakopoulos

  5. 4th DYPE, Thessaloníki, Greece

    E. Chatzimitrou

  6. Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece

    G. Kolios

  7. Florou 22A Kordelio, 56334, Thessaloníki, Greece

    L. Kotanidis

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  1. L. Kotanidis
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Correspondence to L. Kotanidis.

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Conflict of interest

The authors certify that they have NO affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

Ethical approval

All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all patients for being included in the study.

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Kotanidis, L., Nikolettos, K., Petousis, S. et al. The use of serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels and antral follicle count (AFC) to predict the number of oocytes collected and availability of embryos for cryopreservation in IVF. J Endocrinol Invest 39, 1459–1464 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-016-0521-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-016-0521-x

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