The significance of anti-Müllerian hormone concentration in seminal plasma for spermatogenesis

Hum Reprod. 2002 Apr;17(4):968-70. doi: 10.1093/humrep/17.4.968.

Abstract

Background: The function of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in seminal plasma in adulthood is uncertain. We examined the significance of seminal AMH for spermatogenesis.

Methods: We measured seminal concentrations of AMH in 39 oligozoospermic men (mean age +/- SD, 32.7 +/- 4.3 years) and 10 normal volunteers to examine the association of seminal AMH with spermatogenesis. The seminal concentrations of AMH in oligozoospermic men (149.3 +/- 254.0 pmol/l) were significantly lower than in normal men (249.0 +/- 167.7 pmol/l; P +/- 0.0337). Seminal AMH concentration correlated significantly with sperm concentration (r = 0.339, P = 0.0350) and mean testicular volume (r = 0.440, P = 0.246). The serum concentration of LH (r = - 0.365, P = 0.0241), but not FSH, testosterone or estradiol, correlated significantly with AMH concentration in seminal plasma.

Conclusions: AMH in seminal plasma may be important for sperm production, and is a good marker for Sertoli cell development.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Mullerian Hormone
  • Glycoproteins*
  • Growth Inhibitors / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Luteinizing Hormone / blood
  • Male
  • Oligospermia / metabolism*
  • Oligospermia / pathology
  • Organ Size
  • Osmolar Concentration
  • Reference Values
  • Semen / cytology
  • Semen / metabolism*
  • Sperm Count
  • Spermatogenesis / physiology*
  • Testicular Hormones / metabolism*
  • Testis / pathology

Substances

  • Glycoproteins
  • Growth Inhibitors
  • Testicular Hormones
  • Anti-Mullerian Hormone
  • Luteinizing Hormone