TSH and AMH in Infertile Women

Abstract

Infertility is defined as the inability of a couple to achieve pregnancy over an average period of one year (in women under 35 years of age) or 6 months (in women above 35 years of age) of unprotected sexual intercourse. Infertility can be due to female, male reasons or both. It can be either primary or secondary. AMH is a dimeric glycoprotein, a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-b super family, which acts on tissue growth and differentiation. In women, AMH is produced by the granulosa cells (GC) in the preantral and antral follicles. Because serum AMH levels reflect the ovarian follicular pool, any reduction in the number of small, growing follicles may be followed by a reduction in circulating AMH. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is produced and released into the bloodstream by the pituitary gland. It controls production of the thyroid hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine, by the thyroid gland by binding to receptors located on cells in the thyroid gland. Thyroxine and triiodothyronine are essential to maintaining the body’s metabolic rate, heart and digestive functions, muscle control, brain development and maintenance of bones. Previous research showed an inverse relationship between serum TSH levels, which were within the normal range, and AMH levels in infertile women of reproductive age. These findings may influence current infertility treatment strategies.