Evaluation of Serum Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) and Plasma Metastin Levels in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is one of the most prevalent endocrine disorders in women of reproductive age. The pathophysiological mechanisms leading to anovulation in PCOS are under investigation. Aim of the Study: The current study was conducted to evaluate serum AMH and plasma metastin levels in PCOS patients and to assess their correlations with the PCOS-related reproductive and metabolic disturbance. Subjects and Methods: Data from twenty three women with PCOS (ages 21-34 years) were compared with eighteen normal control women with regular menstrual cycles (ages 25-37 years). In each subject biochemical, hormonal, and ultrasonography parameters were studied. Results: The study showed that serum AMH and plasma metastin concentrations were significantly higher in the PCOS patient group compared to the control group (p 0.001). Also, there was a significant positive correlation between the serum levels of AMH and plasma metastin both in the control (r=0.42, p= 0.001) and in the PCOS patient group (r=0.64, p= 0.001). FSH serum levels were borderline lower in women with with PCOS compared with normal healthy controls (p 0.05). Whereas, LH, T and DHEAS serum levels were significantly increased in PCOS patients compared with normal healthy controls (p 0.001). The total number of follicles 2-9mm as well as the main ovarian volume was significantly increased in women with PCOS compared with control subjects (p 0.001). AMH and metastin levels were negatively correlated with age (r=–0.22 and –0.23 respectively, p 0.001), Body Mass Index (BMI) (r=–0.34 and –0.31 respectively, p 0.00 1), Waist circumference (W) (r=–0.25 and –0.26 respectively, p 0.001) and FSH (r=–0.21 and –0.23 respectively, p 0.05). Whereas, both are positively correlated with LH ( r=0.48 and r=0.43 respectively, p 0.001 ), t (r=0.45 and r=0.38 respectively, p 0.001), DHEAS (r=0.32 and r=0.33 respectively, p 0.001), total number of small follicles (r=0.37 and r=0.34 respectively, p 0.01), and main ovarian volume (r=0.16 and r=0.19 respectively, p 0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, both serum AMH and plasma metastin can be used in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with PCOS. In addition, the correlation between the two markers implies an interrelated role in the pathogenesis of PCOS.