Open AccessSerum anti‐Müllerian hormone and ovarian morphology assessed by magnetic resonance imaging in response to acupuncture and exercise in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: secondary analyses of a randomized controlled trial
Author(s) -
Leonhardt Henrik,
Hellström Mikael,
Gull Berit,
Lind AnnaKarin,
Nilsson Lars,
Janson Per Olof,
StenerVictorin Elisabet
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1111/aogs.12571
Subject(s) - medicine , polycystic ovary , acupuncture , anti müllerian hormone , antral follicle , randomized controlled trial , ovarian reserve , magnetic resonance imaging , gynecology , ovary , hormone , infertility , pregnancy , obesity , pathology , insulin resistance , alternative medicine , radiology , biology , genetics
Objective To investigate whether electro‐acupuncture or physical exercise influence serum anti‐Müllerian hormone ( AMH ), antral follicle count ( AFC ) or ovarian volume in women with polycystic ovary syndrome ( PCOS ). Design Secondary analyses of a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting University Hospital, Sweden. Patients Seventy‐four women with PCOS recruited from the general population. Interventions Women with PCOS were randomized to 16 weeks of electro‐acupuncture (14 treatments), exercise (at least three times/week), or no intervention. Main outcome measures Serum AMH recorded at baseline, after 16 weeks of intervention, and at follow up at 32 weeks. AFC , and ovarian volume assessed by magnetic resonance imaging at baseline and at follow up at 32 weeks. Results After 16 weeks of intervention, serum levels of AMH were significantly decreased in the electro‐acupuncture group by 17.5% ( p < 0.001), and differed from the change in the exercise group. AMH remained decreased by 15% ( p = 0.004) also at follow up at 32 weeks, but did not differ from the exercise or the no intervention groups. There was a decrease by 8.5% ( p = 0.015) in ovarian volume between baseline and follow up in the electro‐acupuncture group, and by 11.7% ( p = 0.01) in AFC in the physical exercise group. No other variables were affected. Conclusions This study is the first to demonstrate that acupuncture reduces serum AMH levels and ovarian volume. Physical exercise did not influence circulating AMH or ovarian volume. Despite a within‐group decrease in AFC , exercise did not lead to a between‐group difference.