Anti-Mullerian Hormone in Men

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a Sertoli cell-secreted protein that plays a major role in the development of internal male genitalia during embryonic life. Around the 7th week of gestation, AMH causes regression of the Mullerian duct and hence it is also known as Müllerian-inhibiting substance (MIS). Persistent Mullerian duct leads to formation of female internal sex organs. During adult life, AMH continues to be produced by the Sertoli cells in the testis in men although its functional relevance remains unclear.

In 2016, an very strong association of AMH with all-cause mortality was reported in men.

“In unadjusted analysis, each unit increase in serum anti-mullerian hormone level was associated with a 13 % lower risk of death (HR = 0.87; 95 %CI = 0.83-0.92). In multivariable models, the inverse association between serum anti-mullerian hormone levels and mortality remained significant (HR = 0.94; 95 %CI = 0.90-0.98) and was independent of confounding variables. Similarly, individuals in the highest quartile had significantly lower risk of death as compared to individuals in the lowest quartile (unadjusted HR = 0.13, 95 %CI = 0.07-0.25; adjusted HR = 0.36, 95 %CI = 0.16-0.81).”

While the study showed an association the underlying mechanistic pathways remained unclear.

Recently, AMH has been shown to be associated with serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in men raising the possibility that the underlying mechanism may include modulation of inflammatory response. It is a potentially an exciting area of research and new discoveries in future may highlight important relationships between AMH and health, morbidity, and mortality in humans.