Follicular fluid anti-Müllerian hormone: a predictive marker of fertilization capacity of MII oocytes

Purpose The present study aimed to correlate anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels in follicular fluid (FF) with oocyte maturity stages, morphological quality of metaphase II (MII) oocyte and fertilization capacity of MII oocytes. Methods A total of 92 infertile women undergoing con- trolled ovarian stimulation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to age: \35 years (n = 43) and C35 years (n = 49). An FF sample was obtained from a single dominant follicle in each patient for a total of 92 follicular fluid samples analyzed. AMH levels in serum and follicular fluid were measured by enzyme-linked immu- nosorbent assay. Mature MII oocytes, zygotes, and embryos were assessed for morphological quality. Results Serum AMH levels were significantly higher in patients aged \35 years. No correlation was observed between FF AMH level and oocyte maturation stages or morphological quality of MII oocyte. Significantly lower FF AMH levels were observed in fertilized MII oocytes than in non-fertilized MII oocytes in patients aged \35 years (2.56 ± 2.0 ng/ml vs. 4.81 ± 4.14 ng/ml; p = 0.032). Conclusions The present study revealed no correlation between FF AMH and oocyte maturity stage or morpho- logical quality of MII oocyte. However, FF AMH might be a predictive marker for fertilization capacity of MII oocytes.