Anti-Müllerian Hormone Predicts IVF Success

 Women with a high concentration of anti-Müllerian hormone stand a better chance of giving birth after in vitro fertilization, according to a recent study accepted for publication.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is produced by the ovaries. The study found women with high AMH levels were 2.5 times more likely to have a successful IVF cycle than women of a similar age with low levels of the hormone. AMH levels were a predictor of pregnancy and live birth, even when the mother's age and egg production were taken into account.

For women who are struggling to get pregnant by all means, a high AMH level should be very reassuring from a fertility test result.High levels of this hormone mean there is a greater chance they have plenty of healthy eggs remaining to support a pregnancy.

Researchers concluded high AMH levels are associated with successful IVF treatment because the hormone levels reveal important information about the quality as well as the quantity of eggs left in a woman's ovaries. Women who have high AMH levels are likely to have a high proportion of eggs capable of developing into healthy embryo. Women who have AMH levels above 2.94 ng/ml have greater chances as studies have shown. Although researchers did not find a cut-off point below which women could not get pregnant.

The study found reason for optimism among women who have polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition normally associated with ovulation problems. Women who have this condition tend to have high AMH levels. Women who have polycystic ovaries are likely to be good candidates for IVF, along with high AMH levels, this group tends to have a significant supply of eggs remaining in the ovaries.