Does obesity affect serum anti-müllerian hormone or inhibin B levels in polycystic ovary syndrome? Results of a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Background: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B (INHB) are validated ovarian reserve biomarkers with key roles in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) pathogenesis. Serum AMH has specific diagnostic value for PCOS, yet their differential expression and clinical significance in obese versus non-obese PCOS phenotypes remain unclear. To fill this gap, we performed the first systematic review and meta-analysis comparing serum AMH and INHB levels between obese and non-obese women with PCOS, and explored heterogeneity sources.
Methods: Thirty-eight observational studies (n = 15,003) were systematically retrieved and quality-assessed via the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), with all scoring ≥ 7. Meta-analyses calculated pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) for AMH and INHB levels, with subgroup analyses stratified by geographic region, BMI category, and age. Meta-regression analyzed the effects of these factors on AMH levels; sensitivity analyses and publication bias assessments verified result robustness.
Results: Obese PCOS women had significantly lower serum AMH (SMD: -0.16; 95% CI: -0.29 to -0.02; P=0.02; I²=86%) and INHB (SMD: -0.98; 95% CI: -1.60 to -0.36; P=0.002; I²=90%) than non-obese counterparts. Meta-regression found no significant associations between AMH levels and geography (P=0.6516), BMI (P=0.2598), or age (P=0.5353). Subgroup analyses showed the most pronounced AMH differences in BMI ≤28 kg/m² (P=0.01) and ≥18-year-old (P=0.02) subgroups, with reduced…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 15,003 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Increased expression of circulating miRNA-93 in women with polycystic ovary syndrome may represent a novel, non-invasive biomarker for diagnosis
- Identification of key genes associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and ovarian cancer using an integrated bioinformatics analysis
- Identification of key pathways and genes in polycystic ovary syndrome via integrated bioinformatics analysis and prediction of small therapeutic molecules
- Regulation of Androgen Receptor Expression Alters AMPK Phosphorylation in the Endometrium: In Vivo and In Vitro Studies in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Effect of oral administration of low-dose follicle stimulating hormone on hyperandrogenized mice as a model of polycystic ovary syndrome
- Systems pharmacology to investigate the interaction of berberine and other drugs in treating polycystic ovary syndrome
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.