Psychological stress is related to a decrease of serum anti-müllerian hormone level in infertile women.

BACKGROUND: Stress exposure has been proved to be linked to reproductive failure. The reproductive potential of women depends on the ovarian reserve. Anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) has been proved a reliable clinical marker of ovarian reserve. However, the correlation between psychological stress and AMH level is not clear.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 576 women was conducted. AMH concentration was tested to reflect the ovarian reserve. Salivary alpha-amylase (SAA) level was measured to assess the stress of patients objectively.

RESULTS: The SAA level was significantly, and negatively correlated with AMH levels in infertile women (r = -0.315, P = 0.000; adjusted for age, r = -0.336, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSION: Higher psychological stress was related to a decreased AMH level in infertile women and psychological stress may affect ovarian reserve.