Polycystic ovarian morphology in adolescents with regular menstrual cycles is associated with elevated anti-Mllerian hormone

Abstract

Background The significance of polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM) during adolescence is not clear. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between PCOM and anti-Mllerian hormone (AMH), inhibin B, testosterone and insulin levels in healthy girls during the second decade of life. We also determined whether AMH could be used as a surrogate marker of PCOM during adolescence. Methods Seventy-four non-obese adolescents (age range: 13.5-19.75 years old) with regular menstrual cycles participated in this study. Transabdominal ultrasound and blood samples were obtained during the follicular phase. Results PCOM was present in 33.8 of the subjects. Girls with PCOM had higher AMH levels than girls without PCOM (72.5 ± 6.1 versus 33.4 ± 2.6 pmol/l; P < 0.0001) and lower FSH levels (5.4 ± 0.3 versus 6.2 ± 0.2 mUI/ml; P < 0.036). Similar levels of inhibin B, androgens and LH were observed in girls with and without PCOM. PCOM prevalence and AMH levels were not associated with age (P