Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) and fertility management in agricultural species

Abstract

A reliable, easy to assess marker for fertility in agricultural species would be highly desirable and Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) is a promising candidate. This review summarizes recent findings concerning AMH and its role in fertility management, mainly in cattle. It focuses on (1) alterations in circulating AMH concentrations from birth to puberty and during estrous cycles; (2) correlation of circulating AMH concentrations with ovarian follicle numbers and ovarian reserve; (3) factors that impact circulating AMH concentrations; (4) use of AMH as a predictor of fertility. Circulating AMH concentrations can be easily and reliably measured with a single blood sample in adult cattle because AMH varies minimally during the estrous cycle and is repeatable across multiple cycles. Circulating AMH concentrations are positively associated with several measures of fertility. Dairy heifers with low compared with higher AMH concentrations subsequently had lower pregnancy rates, higher probability of being culled after birth of their first calf and shorter herd longevity. Also, AMH is predictive of response to superovulation in cattle and sheep. Several factors contribute to the variability in AMH concentrations among individuals; for example, beef cattle have higher AMH than dairy cattle. Nutritional imbalances, disease and endocrine disruptors during fetal life may negatively program the size of the ovarian reserve and consequently serum AMH concentrations and potential fertility in adulthood. We conclude that AMH may be a predictor of fertility and herd longevity in cattle, whereas in sheep and other farm species, the potential association between AMH and reproductive performance remains largely unexplored. Free Italian abstract: An Italian translation of this abstract is freely available at http://www.reproduction-online.org/content/154/1/ R1/suppl/DC1. Reproduction (2017) 154 R1-R11

Overview of Anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) and association with fertility in female cattle

“…Circulating Anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations (ng/ml) in dairy ( n = 9) and crossbred beef ( n = 13) female calves. (Mossa et al, ). AMH concentration was similar in dairy and beef calves but did vary based on heifer age…”

“…By breed, Bos indicus have the highest AMH, followed by the Bos taurus breeds in the following order: Jerseys, Jersey/Holstein crossbreds and Holsteins (Figure ) (Batista et al, ; Ribeiro et al, ). Beef breeds fall in between Bos indicus breeds and dairy breeds for AMH level (Mossa, Jimenez‐Krassel, Sheetz, Weber‐Nielsen, Evans, & Ireland, Batista et al, ; Pfeiffer et al, ).…”

Determination of the relationship between serum anti‐Müllerian hormone level and superovulatory response in Simmental cows

“…It is claimed that this criterion can be utilized practically in biotechnology‐related study fields such as embryo production and transfer (Rico et al, ). Mossa et al suggest that beef cattle have higher levels of AMH than dairy cattle (Mossa et al, ). Considering the fact that the milk yield and reproductive ability of females have a genetically negative correlation (Veerkamp, Beerda, & Lende, ), the results of Mossa et al () support the utility of AMH level as a criterion for donor selection.…”

“…Mossa et al suggest that beef cattle have higher levels of AMH than dairy cattle (Mossa et al, ). Considering the fact that the milk yield and reproductive ability of females have a genetically negative correlation (Veerkamp, Beerda, & Lende, ), the results of Mossa et al () support the utility of AMH level as a criterion for donor selection. In this study, AMH levels were determined after superovulation; the obtained CL numbers are in line with the findings of the researchers mentioned above.…”

Farklı Yaş Guruplarındaki Safkan Arap Kısraklarda Anti Müllerian Hormon Konsantrasyonları Ile Reprodüktif Parametrelerin Korelasyonu

“…The anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a homodimeric glycoprotein belonging to the transforming growth factor beta family and is secreted only from the gonads in both males and females [1,2] . In addition to causing regression of the Müllerian ducts during embryonic development, it is also involved in regulating development of primordial follicles [3][4][5] .…”