The effect of micronutrient supplementation on serum anti-Mullerian hormone levels: a retrospective pilot study

Abstract

Background

The anti-Müllerian-hormone (AMH) is secreted by the granulosa cells of the oocytes and can be used as a marker of the ovarian reserve; helpful to estimate female fertility or the menopause onset. Although various factors may influence AMH levels, the correlation with nutritional factors needs more research.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of a micronutrient supplementation on female AMH levels.

Methods

This retrospective analysis includes a total of 244 women, who attended the Karl Landsteiner Institute, Korneuburg, Austria from January 2013 to June 2019 due to an unfulfilled desire for a child. All women were treated with an oral micronutrient preparation consisting the dosage of one soft capsule and one tablet per day for 3 months. The soft capsule contains omega-3 fatty acids and the tablet is a standardized combination of coenzyme Q₁₀, vitamin E, folic acid, selenium, catechins from green tea extract, and glycyrrhizin from licorice extract. Serum AMH levels before and after 3 months were compared. In addition, available clinical data such as ovulation frequency, endometrium thickness, and luteal phase duration were analyzed.

Results

The mean age of the women was 37.3 ± 1.8 years, the mean body mass index of 24.3 ± 4.6 k/m². The mean serum AMH levels and endometrial thickness values were significantly higher after micronutrient supplementation as compared to baseline (1.42 ± 0.86 versus 1.86 ± 0.82 ng/mL and 6.10 ± 1.76 versus 7.29 ± 1.65 mm, respectively). In addition, ovulation frequency and luteal phase duration significantly improved in more than 60%.

Conclusion

Proposed micronutrient supplementation had a positive effect on serum AMH levels, endometrial thickness, ovulation frequency, and luteal phase duration. It could be a simple, risk-free therapeutic option to improve female fertility. More research is warranted to prove this effect.

微量营养素补充对血清抗苗勒管激素水平影响：一项回顾性初步研究 摘要

背景：抗苗勒管激素（AMH）由卵母细胞的颗粒细胞分泌, 可作为卵巢储备的标志, 有助于判断女性生育力或绝经开始时间。虽然影响AMH水平的因素很多, 但与营养因素的相关性还有待进一步研究。

目的：评价补充微量营养素对女性AMH水平的影响。

方法：这项回顾分析共包括244名女性, 她们在2013年1月至2019年6月期间因有生育需求而就诊于奥地利科尔纽堡的卡尔兰德斯坦纳医院。所有女性均接受口服微量营养素制剂的治疗, 剂量为每天一粒软胶囊和一药片, 疗程为3个月。软胶囊含有omega-3脂肪酸, 片剂是辅酶Q10、维生素E、叶酸、硒、绿茶提取物中的儿茶素和甘草提取物中的甘草甜素的标准化组合。比较治疗前和治疗3个月后血清AMH水平。此外, 还分析了排卵频率、子宫内膜厚度、黄体期持续时间等临床资料。

结果：女性平均年龄为37.3±1.8岁, 平均体重指数为24.3±4.6 kg/m²。补充微量营养素后, 平均血清AMH水平和子宫内膜厚度显著高于基础水平（分别为1.42±0.86 vs 6.10±1.76, 1.86±0.82 vs 7.29±1.65 mm）。此外, 排卵频率和黄体期持续时间也有明显改善超过60%。

结论：推荐的微量营养素补充对血清AMH水平、子宫内膜厚度、排卵频率和黄体期持续时间有积极影响。这可能是一种简单、无风险的治疗选择, 可以提高女性生育力。有必要进行更多研究来证明这一效果。

Keywords:

• Infertility
• fertility
• micronutrients
• supplementation
• anti-Müllerian-hormone

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank Lenuspharma GmbH for providing PROfertil® female.

Author contribution

All the authors have made substantial contributions in relation to the research design, the statistical analysis and interpretation, and approved the final version of this document.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.