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Ormone anti-mülleriano (AMH): utilità e limiti nella valutazione della riserva ovarica

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH): utilities and criticisms in evaluation of ovarian reserve

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La Rivista Italiana della Medicina di Laboratorio - Italian Journal of Laboratory Medicine

Summary

The circulating anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) is considered a robust ovarian biomarker available today, inasmuch as, it has replaced the usage of age, antral follicle count (AFC) or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. In this brief review, first we discuss its role during fetal and adult life in regulating follicle development. Subsequently, based on existing literature, we consider biological, preanalytical and analytical pitfalls and inherent biases in its assessment. Different generations of ELISA assays have been used since 1990s for AMH detection. However, more recently, rapid new automated methods with higher analytical sensitivity have been introduced. In view of this development, a major concern is to establish new reference and cutoff values based on these latest methods. Furthermore, the lack of an international standard makes the issue more complex. Our review, while asserting the pivotal role of AMH in the evaluation of ovarian reserve, suggests that more than one determination would be desirable before commencing the IVF treatment. Overall, automated methods have allowed to adopt AMH measurement as a routine test providing rapid access to results, thus contributing to better treatment options in centers for medically assisted reproduction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ASL Roma 1, Ospedale San Filippo Neri, UOC Patologia Clinica, Roma, Italia

    Laura Cuomo & Marina Vitillo

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  1. Laura Cuomo
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  2. Marina Vitillo
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Correspondence to Laura Cuomo.

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Studi condotti su esseri umani e animali

Per questo tipo di studio non è richiesto l’inserimento di alcuna dichiarazione relativa agli studi effettuati su esseri umani e animali.

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Cuomo, L., Vitillo, M. Ormone anti-mülleriano (AMH): utilità e limiti nella valutazione della riserva ovarica. Riv Ital Med Lab 14, 203–207 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13631-018-00205-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13631-018-00205-4

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