The key to fertility


What is it?

The number of fertile eggs a woman has at any given time will be a determining factor in achieving pregnancy, both naturally and through assisted reproduction techniques.

The ovarian reserve is measured through the Antimullerian Hormone (AMH) level, which reliably determines a woman’s ovarian reserve, that is, the quantity and quality of fertile eggs she has.

Useful information


During childhood, ovarian reserve levels are low, and from puberty onwards, they begin to increase as ovulation begins. They usually peak between the ages of 22 and 25 and then gradually decline. From the age of 35, they decrease very rapidly until they disappear completely at menopause.

In women, AMH plays a key role in folliculogenesis and reflects the number of antral and prenatal follicles. Serum AMH levels correlate with the number of primordial follicles in the ovaries and allow reliable determination of fertility potential.

Indications


This test is suitable for all women who want to know their ovarian reserve, and helps to plan their childbearing earlier and with a better chance of success.

It is also used for:

  • Menopause: predicting the onset of menopause, when a woman stops having menstrual periods.
  • Early menopause: diagnosis of early ovarian failure.
  • Polycystic ovary: provides information on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  • Fertility: complementary information for the diagnosis and choice of the most effective treatment for couples with fertility problems.
  • In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF): the identification of patients with low or high response before treatment with controlled stimulation reduces both the failure rate and the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation.

Results


Concordance between Antral Follicle Count (AFR) and serum AMH levels:
AFR 0-7 AFR 8-15 AFR > 15
AMH   4.86 pmol/L (0.681 ng/mL) 63.2% 32.4% 4.4%
AMH 4.87 – 16.2 pmol/L (0.682 ng/mL-2.27 ng/mL) 12% 56.9% 31.1%
AMH > 16.2 pmol/L (>2.27 ng/mL) 1.4% 24.1% 74.5%

Patients with low AMH values
(≤ 4.86 pmol/L; 0.681 ng/mL)


Ο Probability of low AFR values (0-7) is 63%.
Ο Probability of medium PAR values (8-15) is 32%.
Ο Probability of high PAR values > 15 is 4.4%.

Patients with high AMH values
(> 16.2 pmol/L; 2.27 ng/mL)


Ο Probability of high PAR values (> 15) is 75%.
Ο Probability of medium PAR values (8-15) is 24%.
Ο Probability of low PAR values (<8) is 1.4%.

pmol/L ng/mL
Men 10.20 – 82.80 1.43 – 11.60
Women 20 – 24 years 10.90 – 71.00 1.52 – 9.95
Women 25 – 29 years 8.57 – 64.60 1.20 – 9.05
Women 30-34 years 5.08 – 54.20 0.71 – 7.59
Women 35 – 39 years 2.89 – 49.70 0.41 – 6.96
Women 40 – 44 years 0.42 – 31.70 0.06 – 4.44
Women 45 – 50 years 0.07 – 12.80 0.01 – 1.79
Response to 
ovarian stimulation HIGH
> 15.00 > 2.10
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome 17.20 – 122.00 2.41 – 17.10

Process


It requires a simple blood sample.

Receipt of the sample in our laboratory.

Results available within 3 working days.

Online study report.


  • It should be performed on any day of the menstrual cycle.


  • Fasting is not necessary.

Frequently asked questions


As a species, humans in general have low fertility. The chance of getting pregnant by having unprotected sex at the time of ovulation is around 25%. Approximately 1 in 6 couples of reproductive age have infertility problems. These percentages refer to women under 35 years of age. From this age onwards, the reproductive potential decreases and after the age of 40, the possibility of achieving a pregnancy per month is less than 10%.

It is recommended that women under 35 years of age consult a specialist after one year of unprotected intercourse and taking into account that their menstrual cycles are regular. If the woman is older than 35 years, she could consult a specialist 6 months after unsuccessful intercourse, as the follicular reserve may be compromised.

Ovarian reserve is the responsiveness of the ovary to ovarian stimulation. It is a parameter that only assesses the number of eggs that can be expected after ovarian stimulation. Age is the most important factor related to ovarian reserve and fertility.

Patients with low ovarian reserve are generally less responsive to ovarian stimulation. There are also patients with low ovarian reserve who respond poorly to ovarian stimulation but produce good quality eggs. The parameter that is best related to oocyte quality is age: the older the age, the lower the quality.

The size of the ovaries is related to their activity. Small or atrophic ovaries are the consequence of these ovaries no longer being active due to the absence of follicles. This type of ovary is usually found in menopausal women or women with early ovarian failure.