In an effort to provide the latest in diagnostic testing, LifeLabs is pleased to offer AMH, or anti-mullerian hormone. The introduction of AMH is offered in response to requests from physicians wanting to augment their fertility monitoring programs.
 
Anti-Mullerian Hormone acts as an indicator of ovarian reserve and LifeLabs is pleased to offer this test through our association with Esoterix Endocrine Laboratory.

What is AMH?
AMH, or anti-mullerian hormone is a substance that is produced by granulosa cells in ovarian follicles. It is first made in primary follicles after they advance from the primordial follicle stage. At this stage the follicles are microscopic in size and cannot be seen by ultrasound.

AMH production is highest in the preantral and small antral stages (less than 4mm diameter) of follicle development. Production decreases and then stops as the follicles grow larger. There is almost no AMH made in human follicles over 8mm in size. Because of this, the levels are quite constant and the AMH test can be done on any day of a woman's cycle.

Since AMH is produced only in small ovarian follicles, blood levels of this substance have been used to attempt to measure the size of the pool of growing follicles in women.

Research shows that the size of the pool of growing follicles is heavily influenced by the size of the pool of remaining primordial follicles (microscopic follicles in "deep sleep"). Therefore, AMH blood levels are thought to reflect the size of the remaining egg supply - or ovarian reserve.

Samples may be collected at any LifeLabs Patient Service Centre by using a customized requisition available through the Contract Services department (telephone 604 412-4421 or 800 663-9422 ext. 4421). Turn-around time is 3 weeks.