Novel correlates between antimüllerian hormone and menstrual cycle characteristics in African-American women (23–35 years-old)

Objective To characterize normative antimüllerian hormone (AMH) levels and ascertain which factors are associated with AMH in a large cohort of reproductive-age women. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Not applicable. Patient(s) A total of 1,654 African-American women (AAW) ages 23–34 at recruitment. Intervention(s) Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure(s) Serum AMH measured using an ultrasensitive ELISA. Result(s) The median AMH was 3.18 ng/mL, and there was a significant, but nonlinear, relationship between age and AMH, with levels peaking at age 25. As AMH was not normally distributed, log transformation was performed and used for all analyses. In a multivariable age-adjusted model, body mass index, current use of hormonal contraception, and history of a thyroid condition were inversely associated with AMH, while history of abnormal menstrual bleeding and menstrual cycles longer than 35 days were positively associated with AMH. Conclusion(s) While age is correlated with AMH, it accounts for only a portion of the variation seen. This study adds valuable information to the existing literature on normative AMH levels in young reproductive-age women. While our findings fill a critical data gap for ovarian reserve in AAW, the insights gained will be of benefit for all women.