Context: Anti-Mu¨ llerian hormone (AMH), which is secreted by immature Sertoli cells, triggers the
involution of the fetalMu¨ llerian ducts.AMHis a testis-specific marker used for diagnosis in infants
with ambiguous genitalia or bilateral cryptorchidism.
Aim: The aim of the study was to describe the ontogeny of AMH secretion through life in healthy males.
Setting:This was a population-based study of healthy volunteers.
Participants: Participants included 1027 healthy males from birth (cord blood) to 69 yr. A subgroup
was followed up longitudinally through the infantile minipuberty [(in cord blood, and at 3 and 12
months), n 55] and another group through puberty [(biannual measurements), n 83].
Main Outcome Measures: Serum AMH was determined by a sensitive immunoassay. Serum testosterone,
LH, and FSH were measured, and pubertal staging was performed in boys aged 6 to 20
yr (n 616).
Results: SerumAMHwas above the detection limit in all samples with a marked variation according
to age and pubertal status. The median AMH level in cord blood was 148 pmol/liter and increased
significantly to the highest observed levels at 3 months (P 0.0001). AMH declined at 12 months
(P 0.0001) and remained at a relatively stable level throughout childhood until puberty, when
AMH declined progressively with adults exhibiting 3–4% of infant levels.
Conclusion: Based on this extensive data set, we found detectable AMH serum levels at all ages,
with the highest measured levels during infancy. At the time of puberty, AMH concentrations
declined and remained relatively stable throughout adulthood. The potential physiological role of
AMH and clinical applicability of AMH measurements remain to be determined. (J Clin Endocrinol
Metab 95: 5357–5364, 2010)