Assessment of Serum Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) as an Independent Marker for Oligozoospermia and Non-Obstructive Azoospermia in Infertile Nigerian Men

Abstract

Background: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a Sertoli cell-derived glycoprotein that mediates regression of Müllerian duct in male embryos. The present study aims to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of serum AMH in the detection of oligozoospermia and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) in a homogenous population of Nigerian men. Methods: This case-controlled prospective study was conducted on eighty male subjects (aged 18-45 years), at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Subjects were classified as control (n=30), oligozoospermic (n=27) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA; n=23) (World Health Organization, 2010). Serum concentrations of various hormones were measured. Statistical analyses were performed using MedCalc. (v.19.5.1, Ostend, Belgium). Results: Serum AMH levels did not differ significantly among the study groups (P>0.05). Serum levels of testosterone were significantly lower, while serum FSH levels were significantly higher in the infertile groups than the control (P<0.000001). Serum LH levels were significantly higher in the NOA men (P<0.000001), while oligozoospermic men showed no significant difference, compared to control. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis depicted the same cut-off value (≤1.7 ng/ml) of serum AMH for oligozoospermia and NOA with low sensitivity and moderate specificity. Conclusion: The findings suggest that serum AMH is not a potent stand-alone marker of NOA or oligozoospermia among Nigerian men.