[Anti-Müllerian hormone: A brief review of the literature].

BACKGROUND: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a dimeric glycoprotein, which was originally identified because of its role in male sexual differentiation. In fact, AMH is expressed by the Sertoli cellsof the foetal testes and induces the regression of the Müllerian ducts. In the absence of AMH, the Müllerian ducts evolve in the uterus, fallopian tubes and in the upper part of the vagina. In women AMH is produced by granulose cells, pre-antral and antral follicles and its major physiological role in the ovaries seems to be limited to inhibiting the development of the earliest stages of follicular development. AMH has been studied because of its potential clinical utility: the diagnosis of intersexuality in children, the diagnosis of criptorchism and anorchia, the diagnosis of early or delayed puberty, the diagnosis of granulosa cell tumours, ovarian function in women who have undergone chemotherapy, the determination of female ovary function and the diagnosis and follow-up of polycystic ovarian disease.

AIM: The objective of this brief review is to ascertain the current status of studies on AMH and potential future prospects.

METHODS: Review the most recent literature.

RESULTS: There are still several points that need to be clarified with regard to all of the activities of AMH. The techniques for handling serum samples and hormone assays need to be made even more uniform.

DISCUSSION: In recent years, it has been found that AMH is not only a male hormone, but it is being proven to be a valuable tool to better understand ovarian function, both in young people and in adult females. At the moment, the clinical use of serum assays for AMH still faces technical problems.