Evaluation of follicle-stimulating hormone versus anti-Müllerian hormone in polycystic ovary syndrome: clinical implications

Background. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder affec­ting women of reproductive age. Alarmingly, there is a significant diagnostic gap, with about 75 % of women in hospital settings unknowingly having PCOS due to inconsistent diagnostic criteria. The manifestations of PCOS are multifaceted, along with hyperandrogenism, which results in excessive male hormones, hirsutism, and irregular menstrual cycles, frequently culminating in infertility and profound mental fitness challenges. The role of oxidative stress cannot be understated; it detrimentally influences the reproductive lifespan and inflicts damage that exacerbates infertility issues. Materials and Methods. The research was conducted on 80 women between the ages of 25–45 years who were divided into PCOS and control groups. Women’s blood samples were obtained from the Nineveh Health Directorate Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Hospital, Iraq. The levels of AMH and FSH were measured through the ELISA kits. In addition, biochemical parameters such as glucose, total cholesterol, malondial­dehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) were quantified in both control and PCOS women. Relationships between these variables were explored using unpaired t-tests, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple of regression analysis. Results and Discussion. FSH levels were positively correlated with age while AMH was related to age inversely, suggesting that aging decreases ovarian reserve in PCOS women. Furthermore, a significant increase in mean serum Malondialdehyde (MDA) was observed for the women with PCOS group compared to healthy controls, aligning with a significant association among AMH and MDA. Remarkably, no statistically significant correlation between FSH and AMH was found relating glucose, and total cholesterol (TC) in the PCOS group. Therefore, the monitoring of these indicators could enhance the clinical care of PCOS. Conclusion. This study reveals age-associated adjustments in ovarian reserve in PCOS. Moreover, the increase in MDA levels revealed the increased oxidative stress that characterized the condition’s complexity.