Serum anti-mullerian hormone levels and age among Samoan women

Abstract Background Serum AMH levels in adult women are part of the diagnostic criteria for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition with marked infertility and metabolic risks. Yet, little is known about AMH levels among women from ethnic minority populations, especially its associations with...

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Main Authors: Grace O’Brien, Geralyn Lambert-Messerlian, Nicola L. Hawley, Ulai T. Fidow, Take Naseri, Muagututi‘a Sefuiva Reupena, Erin E. Kershaw, Marinelle B. Azar, Martha M. Pangburn, Stephen T. McGarvey
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12958-025-01379-y
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author Grace O’Brien
Geralyn Lambert-Messerlian
Nicola L. Hawley
Ulai T. Fidow
Take Naseri
Muagututi‘a Sefuiva Reupena
Erin E. Kershaw
Marinelle B. Azar
Martha M. Pangburn
Stephen T. McGarvey
author_facet Grace O’Brien
Geralyn Lambert-Messerlian
Nicola L. Hawley
Ulai T. Fidow
Take Naseri
Muagututi‘a Sefuiva Reupena
Erin E. Kershaw
Marinelle B. Azar
Martha M. Pangburn
Stephen T. McGarvey
author_sort Grace O’Brien
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Serum AMH levels in adult women are part of the diagnostic criteria for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition with marked infertility and metabolic risks. Yet, little is known about AMH levels among women from ethnic minority populations, especially its associations with age and obesity. The objective is to describe the association of age and serum anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) among Samoan women, provide age specific AMH reference levels, and examine the associations of AMH with adiposity and reproductive factors. Methods A cross-sectional, retrospective study of a representative community-based sample from Samoa was conducted. 670 women with no known reproductive disorders, reproductive surgeries, or hormonal contraceptive use, age 25–51 years, were included. Adiposity was assessed by body mass index (BMI) using Polynesian-specific criteria for obesity. Serum AMH was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum total testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin were measured, and the free androgen index was calculated. Hormonal contraceptive use, menstrual regularity, and tobacco use were assessed by questionnaire. PCOS prevalence was estimated using current guidelines. Results Despite a high prevalence of obesity and overweight in Samoan women, serum AMH and its age related decline were similar to those reported in other populations. AMH was negatively associated with age. AMH decline with age in Samoan women is best described by a cubic model. AMH was not associated with BMI or insulin resistance. PCOS prevalence was estimated at 3.4–5.1%. Conclusion This study was the first to construct an age specific AMH reference range for Samoan women. PCOS prevalence appears low, supporting other published studies that have demonstrated a complex relationship between adiposity and reproductive health in Samoan women. Clinical trial number Not applicable.
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spelling doaj-art-d6f8722720b049aaaee24cbf9c5c63112025-08-20T03:46:17ZengBMCReproductive Biology and Endocrinology1477-78272025-03-012311810.1186/s12958-025-01379-ySerum anti-mullerian hormone levels and age among Samoan womenGrace O’Brien0Geralyn Lambert-Messerlian1Nicola L. Hawley2Ulai T. Fidow3Take Naseri4Muagututi‘a Sefuiva Reupena5Erin E. Kershaw6Marinelle B. Azar7Martha M. Pangburn8Stephen T. McGarvey9Department of Epidemiology and International Health Institute, Brown University School of Public HealthDepartments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Infants Hospital, The Alpert Medical School at Brown UniversityDepartment of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public HealthDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital, Ministry of Health, Government of SamoaMinistry of Health, Government of SamoaLutia i Puava ae Mapu i FagaleleDivision of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of PittsburghDivision of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of PittsburghDivision of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of PittsburghDepartment of Epidemiology and International Health Institute, Brown University School of Public HealthAbstract Background Serum AMH levels in adult women are part of the diagnostic criteria for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition with marked infertility and metabolic risks. Yet, little is known about AMH levels among women from ethnic minority populations, especially its associations with age and obesity. The objective is to describe the association of age and serum anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) among Samoan women, provide age specific AMH reference levels, and examine the associations of AMH with adiposity and reproductive factors. Methods A cross-sectional, retrospective study of a representative community-based sample from Samoa was conducted. 670 women with no known reproductive disorders, reproductive surgeries, or hormonal contraceptive use, age 25–51 years, were included. Adiposity was assessed by body mass index (BMI) using Polynesian-specific criteria for obesity. Serum AMH was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum total testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin were measured, and the free androgen index was calculated. Hormonal contraceptive use, menstrual regularity, and tobacco use were assessed by questionnaire. PCOS prevalence was estimated using current guidelines. Results Despite a high prevalence of obesity and overweight in Samoan women, serum AMH and its age related decline were similar to those reported in other populations. AMH was negatively associated with age. AMH decline with age in Samoan women is best described by a cubic model. AMH was not associated with BMI or insulin resistance. PCOS prevalence was estimated at 3.4–5.1%. Conclusion This study was the first to construct an age specific AMH reference range for Samoan women. PCOS prevalence appears low, supporting other published studies that have demonstrated a complex relationship between adiposity and reproductive health in Samoan women. Clinical trial number Not applicable.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12958-025-01379-yAMHOvarian reserveBody mass indexPolynesianObesityPolycystic ovary
spellingShingle Grace O’Brien
Geralyn Lambert-Messerlian
Nicola L. Hawley
Ulai T. Fidow
Take Naseri
Muagututi‘a Sefuiva Reupena
Erin E. Kershaw
Marinelle B. Azar
Martha M. Pangburn
Stephen T. McGarvey
Serum anti-mullerian hormone levels and age among Samoan women
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology
AMH
Ovarian reserve
Body mass index
Polynesian
Obesity
Polycystic ovary
title Serum anti-mullerian hormone levels and age among Samoan women
title_full Serum anti-mullerian hormone levels and age among Samoan women
title_fullStr Serum anti-mullerian hormone levels and age among Samoan women
title_full_unstemmed Serum anti-mullerian hormone levels and age among Samoan women
title_short Serum anti-mullerian hormone levels and age among Samoan women
title_sort serum anti mullerian hormone levels and age among samoan women
topic AMH
Ovarian reserve
Body mass index
Polynesian
Obesity
Polycystic ovary
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12958-025-01379-y
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