Obesity adversely affects serum anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in Caucasian women.

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies regarding the effect of obesity on serum anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) levels have been conflicting. Our aim was to determine the effect of obesity on serum AMH levels among women from different racial backgrounds.

METHODS

The medical records of 350 women (159 Caucasian, 99 African-American, 58 Hispanic, 34 Asian with ages 16-46) evaluated for infertility at an academic-affiliated center and who had AMH levels measured as part of their evaluation were reviewed. Age, AMH, body mass index (BMI), self-reported race, etiology of infertility, smoking history, maximum serum early follicular follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, antral follicle count (AFC), and history of ovarian surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy were recorded.

RESULTS

Age correlated negatively with AMH and antral follicle count across all races (p < 0.05). After adjusting for age, polycystic ovary syndrome diagnosis, and smoking, elevated BMI had a negative correlation with AMH in Caucasian women (β = 0.17, p = 0.01) but not in African-American, Hispanic, or Asian women.

CONCLUSION

Elevated BMI correlates negatively with AMH in Caucasian women but not in African-American, Hispanic, or Asian women. Additional studies are needed to elucidate further the effect of race on the interaction between obesity and ovarian reserve.