More tests that are accurate determine fertility duration for a woman

Researchers from Scotland reported that a test might soon be able to estimate and accurately predict the fertility duration for a woman before the commencement of her menopause. Scientists from the Universities of St. Andrews, Edinburgh, and Glasgow have conducted surveys that evaluate the normal ranges of the anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH), which determines the activity and functionality of a woman’s ovaries throughout her lifespan.

According to the investigators, younger females will soon be able to find out the time until when they are likely to conceive, and simultaneously assess the early or late arrival of their menopause.

Accurate prediction of the number of immature eggs in a woman has not been possible due to the absence of reliable or accepted tests. Doctors today employ AMH measurement as a surrogate tool to evaluate the amount of egg reserves in the ovaries.

Scientists are well aware that an AMH decline below a specific level decreases the likelihood of successful IVF treatment. Specialists evaluated 3,200 samples from healthy women and girls to determine average AMH levels and compare them with another woman of the same age.

Researcher, Tom Kelsey said: “We knew that high AMH levels were good for conception but we could not back that up statistically. This study now provides us the level you would expect to find in a normal healthy woman. Before, we knew that once the levels of this hormone dropped below a certain level, it was hard to conceive.”

Investigator, Professor Richard Anderson, said: “Predicting how long you might remain fertile can be very important, and it seems that AMH can help in this. Our data show how AMH changes with age in normal women.”

Team member, Professor Hamish Wallace, said: “Currently there is no accepted test that will reliably predict how many immature eggs remain for an individual girl or young woman. For a young patient with cancer who may be at high risk of infertility as a result of their proposed treatment, our study will assist the counseling of these vulnerable patients at diagnosis and may influence decisions regarding fertility preservation before they start their cancer treatment”.
The researchers hope that their findings will aid in the development of tests that will ultimately be able to determine the fertility duration for a woman. Professor Scott Nelson said: “We can now interpret a woman’s or child’s AMH with confidence and that is a huge step in ensuring we can accurately counsel patients regarding their potential reproductive lifespan.”