AMH, or Anti-Müllerian Hormone, is a dimeric glycoprotein produced by the granulosa cells of small, growing ovarian follicles in females and by the Sertoli cells in the testes of males. Clinically, it serves as a reliable serum biomarker for ovarian reserve, providing an essential quantitative measure of the pool of remaining primordial follicles capable of developing into mature eggs. For individuals seeking to understand their reproductive longevity or assess fertility treatment potential, the AMH level offers a critical piece of physiological data.
Origin
The hormone’s name derives from its initial discovery and function in male fetal development, where it causes the regression of the Müllerian ducts, the embryonic structures that would otherwise develop into the female reproductive tract. In endocrinology, the clinical application of measuring AMH as an indicator of ovarian reserve emerged in the early 21st century, recognizing its direct correlation with the non-growing follicle population. This understanding revolutionized the assessment of female reproductive health and aging.
Mechanism
In the female reproductive system, AMH production is directly proportional to the number of antral and pre-antral follicles present in the ovaries, reflecting the overall size of the ovarian reserve. This hormone exerts a paracrine effect by inhibiting the recruitment of primordial follicles into the growth phase and reducing the sensitivity of developing follicles to Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH). Consequently, a simple blood test measuring circulating AMH levels provides a quantitative proxy for the remaining functional follicular pool, offering insight into reproductive capacity.
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