{"id":39453,"date":"2025-06-23T12:58:49","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T10:58:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/urecentrogutenberg.es\/anti-mullerian-hormone-and-ovarian-reserve-why-we-order-this-test-in-assisted-reproduction\/"},"modified":"2025-06-23T12:58:49","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T10:58:49","slug":"ovarian-reserve-and-assisted-reproduction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/urecentrogutenberg.es\/en\/ovarian-reserve-and-assisted-reproduction\/","title":{"rendered":"Anti-m\u00fcllerian hormone and ovarian reserve: why we order this test in assisted reproduction"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When we talk about female fertility there is a very important term that all women should be aware of during their routine gynaecological check-up: this term is\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/urecentrogutenberg.es\/en\/ovarian-reserve-and-assisted-reproduction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ovarian reserve<\/a>. We use this terminology to\u00a0<strong>quantify the number of eggs a woman has\u00a0<\/strong>at a certain time in her life. The anti-m\u00fcllerian hormone, which you\u2019ve probably heard of, is very closely related to the concept of ovarian reserve.<\/p>\n<p>When trying to get pregnant, it\u2019s very important that the concept of ovarian reserve is clearly understood. That\u2019s why we want to give you more information today, and explain to you\u00a0<strong>why we measure the anti-m\u00fcllerian hormone and its purpose\u00a0<\/strong>in assisted reproduction.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Tabla de contenidos<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #3f3f3f;color:#3f3f3f\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #3f3f3f;color:#3f3f3f\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/urecentrogutenberg.es\/en\/ovarian-reserve-and-assisted-reproduction\/#When_and_how_are_a_womans_eggs_produced\" >When and how are a woman\u2019s eggs produced?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/urecentrogutenberg.es\/en\/ovarian-reserve-and-assisted-reproduction\/#How_do_we_measure_ovarian_reserve\" >How do we measure ovarian reserve?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/urecentrogutenberg.es\/en\/ovarian-reserve-and-assisted-reproduction\/#When_and_how_is_the_anti%E2%80%91mullerian_hormone_measured\" >When and how is the anti\u2011m\u00fcllerian hormone measured?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/urecentrogutenberg.es\/en\/ovarian-reserve-and-assisted-reproduction\/#What_are_the_anti%E2%80%91mullerian_hormone_reference_values\" >What are the anti\u2011m\u00fcllerian hormone reference values?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_and_how_are_a_womans_eggs_produced\"><\/span>When and how are a woman\u2019s eggs produced?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>During the early stages of development of a female embryo, the cells which will later form the ovaries will divide several times, thus resulting in oocytes, or eggs.\u00a0<strong>During the 20th week of development of a female embryo this cell division will come to a halt<\/strong>, and the total number of oocytes formed up until that point (week 20 of intrauterine life), will be what we know as the ovarian reserve.<\/p>\n<p>Right away, these oocytes will enter into a process of cell maturation and apoptosis (cell death). This means that\u00a0<strong>beginning at week 20 of development, the ovarian reserve starts to decline\u00a0<\/strong>irreversibly and will continue declining once the female is born. Once the ovarian reserve has been depleted,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/urecentrogutenberg.es\/en\/ovulation-why-its-important-to-know-when-it-takes-place-in-assisted-reproduction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ovulation<\/a>\u00a0will no longer take place and the menstrual cycle will disappear. In other words:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/urecentrogutenberg.es\/en\/premature-menopause-and-how-its-related-to-female-infertility\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">menopause will arrive<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In conclusion,\u00a0<strong>a woman is born with a fixed number of eggs\u00a0<\/strong>in her ovaries and, from before the moment she is born, the decline in her ovarian reserve is irreversible.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_we_measure_ovarian_reserve\"><\/span>How do we measure ovarian reserve?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>As we just explained, ovarian reserve is a dynamic parameter that diminishes over the course of a woman\u2019s life. Thus, age is the main conditioning factor. When measuring ovarian reserve we can\u00a0<strong>use two methods<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Antral follicle count<\/strong>. The egg, while it develops or matures, goes through different stages. During these stages the egg is defined as a primordial follicle, primary follicle, secondary or pre\u2011antral follicle, tertiary or antral follicle and a pre\u2011ovulatory or Graafian follicle. The antral follicle count performed via an ultrasound scan is a good indicator of ovarian reserve status.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Anti-m\u00fcllerian hormone blood test<\/strong>. The menstrual and ovulatory cycle is controlled by endocrine system hormones. That\u2019s why studying and testing the anti\u2011m\u00fcllerian hormone can help us learn more about the status of a woman\u2019s ovarian reserve. This hormone is produced by pre\u2011antral and antral follicles in the ovaries and indicates the \u201clevel\u201d of a female\u2019s ovarian reserve.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_and_how_is_the_anti%E2%80%91mullerian_hormone_measured\"><\/span>When and how is the anti\u2011m\u00fcllerian hormone measured?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When analysing the anti\u2011m\u00fcllerian hormone, we must keep in mind that the level does not fluctuate throughout the phases of the menstrual cycle. Thus, this analysis can be performed\u00a0<strong>at any time during the female\u2019s cycle<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to measuring the hormone, the process is very simple. The only thing needed is to have a\u00a0<strong>blood sample drawn<\/strong>, and you don\u2019t even need to be fasting.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_anti%E2%80%91mullerian_hormone_reference_values\"><\/span>What are the anti\u2011m\u00fcllerian hormone reference values?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Firstly, it\u2019s important to keep in mind that this hormone, in addition to indicating the ovarian reserve level, is a measurement that\u00a0<strong>can predict how well the ovaries will respond to stimulation\u00a0<\/strong>in an assisted reproduction treatment.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Optimal anti\u2011m\u00fcllerian hormone values range from 0.7 to 3.5 ng\/ml<\/strong>, and are ideally around 1.0 ng\/ml in women interested in undergoing in vitro fertilisation treatment. The results of the antral follicle count (determined via ultrasound), must also be evaluated alongside the results of the anti\u2011m\u00fcllerian hormone blood test.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, when we evaluate a woman\u2019s ovarian reserve we can discover that her level is high, normal or diminished depending on factors such as age, ultrasound results and hormone markers.\u00a0<strong>A high ovarian reserve indicates a high risk of experiencing ovarian hyper\u2011stimulation\u00a0<\/strong>during hormone stimulation or IVF treatment. This would mean that the patient would be at a high risk for suffering from a complication called ovarian hyper\u2011stimulation syndrome.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand,\u00a0<strong>a diminished ovarian reserve is defined as a lower number of eggs than expected\u00a0<\/strong>for the woman\u2019s age. This is associated with decreased chances of achieving a pregnancy, even with assisted reproduction techniques. A diminished ovarian reserve doesn\u2019t cause symptoms but is occasionally related to menstrual cycle issues, though in the majority of cases the cause is unknown. We do know that\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/urecentrogutenberg.es\/en\/endometriosis-and-fertility-everything-you-need-to-know-if-you-want-to-become-a-mother\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">endometriosis<\/a>, surgery on the ovaries, certain immune disorders,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/urecentrogutenberg.es\/en\/fertility-clinic-spain-testimonials-rocio\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">chemotherapy and radiation therapy<\/a>\u00a0may lead to a premature decline in ovarian reserve.<\/p>\n<p>Due to everything explained here,\u00a0<strong>considering motherhood at an earlier age is necessary<\/strong>. In this regard, we advise consulting with a specialist if you\u2019ve been trying to get pregnant for a while but have not yet been able to conceive. Likewise, we recommend you consider\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/urecentrogutenberg.es\/en\/egg-freezing-frequently-asked-questions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">egg freezing as a preservation of fertility technique<\/a>\u00a0if you wish to postpone motherhood.<\/p>\n<p>At URE Centro Gutenberg we have\u00a0<strong>all of the physical and professional resources needed to evaluate the status of a female\u2019s ovarian reserve<\/strong>. We can help you get an idea about your fertility so that you can make the best decision regarding your reproductive years.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/urecentrogutenberg.es\/en\/contact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Contact us!<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When we talk about female fertility there is a very important term that all women should be aware of during their routine gynaecological check-up: this term is\u00a0ovarian reserve. We use this terminology to\u00a0quantify the number of eggs a woman has\u00a0at a certain time in her life. The anti-m\u00fcllerian hormone, which you\u2019ve probably heard of, is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[501],"tags":[538,528,512,504,529,543,542,519,531,518,508,540,502,513,503,541,514,510,506,535,515,539,516,505,530],"class_list":["post-39453","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-lifestyle-and-fertility-en","tag-artificial-insemination","tag-assisted-reproduction","tag-assisted-reproduction-clinic-in-malaga","tag-assisted-reproduction-techniques","tag-causes-of-infertility","tag-centro-gutenberg-en","tag-clinic-gutenberg-en","tag-female-fertility","tag-fertility","tag-fertility-clinic","tag-fertility-clinic-in-malaga","tag-fertility-preservation","tag-fertility-treatments","tag-fertility-treatments-in-malaga","tag-in-vitro-fertilisation","tag-infertility","tag-ivf","tag-ivf-clinic-in-malaga","tag-pregnancy","tag-reproduction-unit-gutenberg-centre","tag-reproductive-treatments","tag-single-mothers","tag-ure-en","tag-ure-centro-gutenberg-en","tag-vitrification"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/urecentrogutenberg.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39453","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/urecentrogutenberg.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/urecentrogutenberg.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/urecentrogutenberg.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/urecentrogutenberg.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39453"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/urecentrogutenberg.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39453\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39454,"href":"https:\/\/urecentrogutenberg.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39453\/revisions\/39454"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/urecentrogutenberg.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39453"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/urecentrogutenberg.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39453"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/urecentrogutenberg.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39453"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}