Association between anti-Mullerian hormone and antithyroid antibodies detectability and positivity in women assisted at a fertility clinic.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between antithyroid antibodies detectability and positivity and ovarian reserve. Additionally, we aimed to evaluate the correlation between TSH levels and parameters of ovarian reserve [anti-Mullerian (AMH) levels and antral follicle count (AFC)].

METHODS

Subjects were women seeking assisted reproductive therapy and oocyte cryopreservation. AMH, AFC and antithyroid antibodies were determined. In a subgroup of patients, antithyroid antibodies were stratified into categories for the association analyses. The reference values were as follows: antithyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb): undetectable (<9 IU/mL), low detectable (9-21 IU/mL), high detectable (22-34 IU/mL), and positive (> 34 IU/mL); antithyroglobulin antibody (TgAb): undetectable (< 10 IU/mL), low detectable (10-60 IU/mL), high detectable (61-115 IU/ mL), and positive (>115 IU/mL). AMH levels < 1.1 ng/mL and/or AFC < 7 follicles were considered to indicate low ovarian reserve.

RESULTS

A total of 453 patients were enrolled. 24.4% had at least one positive antithyroid antibody. Low detectable values for TPOAb and TgAb were found in 42.3% and 66.9%, respectively. TPOAb and TgAb levels were not statistically different between women with AMH < or ≥ 1.1 ng/mL; there was also no statistically significant difference between antithyroid antibodies levels and AFC < or ≥ 7 follicles. AMH levels did not show significant association with detectability nor positivity of the antithyroid antibodies. No statistically significant correlation was observed between AMH and TSH nor AFC and TSH.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the detectability of TPOAb has been associated with different outcomes, TPOAb and/or TgAb were not associated with ovarian reserve in our study.