Changes and correlations of anti-Müllerian hormone and stem-cell factors in different ovarian reserve patients during GnRH-antagonist protocol and the effects on controlled ovarian hyperstimulation outcomes.

Purpose: To explore the changes and correlations of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and stem-cell factors (SCF) in different ovarian reserve patients during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and the effects on COH outcomes.
Methods: Serum at six different timepoints during GnRH-antagonist protocol and follicular fluid (FF) on oocyte retrieval day of 52 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), 61 patients with normal ovarian reserve (NOR) and 42 patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) were collected. AMH and SCF were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results: During COH, AMH in the PCOS group was the highest, but SCF did the opposite, and serum AMH gradually decreased, while SCF inversely increased. In the PCOS group, SCF on the first and fourth days of gonadotropin (Gn) administration was negative with Gn dosage (r = - 0.362, P < 0.05; r = - 0.344, P < 0.05). In the NOR group, the basal AMH was also negative with Gn dosage (r = - 0.297, P < 0.05) and positive with COH outcomes (number of retrieved oocytes, MII oocytes, and 2PN fertilization) as well as serum SCF after Gn administration. In the DOR group, both AMH and SCF were significantly associated with COH outcomes. Serum AMH in the DOR group after Gn administration and FF AMH showed a negative correlation with SCF.
Conclusions: Serum AMH decreased, while SCF increased during COH. AMH and SCF are effective for Gn time and dosage adjustment and predicting COH outcomes for NOR and DOR patients. In addition, serum AMH in DOR patients after Gn administration and FF AMH has a negative effect on SCF.