Increased androgen, anti-Müllerian hormone, and sporadic anovulation in healthy, eumenorrheic women: a mild PCOS-like phenotype?

Context: Hyperandrogenism is a hallmark of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women with irregular menses, yet the relationship between androgens and ovarian dysfunction remains poorly understood in eumenorrheic women. Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate whether sporadic anovulation was associated with higher T and anti-mullerian hormone (AMH; marker of ovarian follicle count) concentrations in eumenorrheic women. Design: This was a prospective cohort study from 2005 to 2007. Setting: The study was conducted at the University of Buffalo in western New York state. Participants: A total of 259 eumenorrheic women without a self-reported history of infertility, PCOS, or other endocrine disorder participated in the study. Main Outcome Measures: Total T and AMH were measured five to eight times per cycle for one (n = 9) or two (n = 250) cycles per woman (n = 509 cycles) with timing of menstrual cycle phase assisted by fertility monitors. Anovulatory cycles were defined biochemically by proges...