BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate ovarian reserve in patients of reproductive age with Celiac disease (CD) using anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, antral follicle counts (AFCs), and ovarian volume.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included into this study 46 CD female patients and 40 healthy female subjects of reproductive age, ages 18–45 years. Venous blood samples were taken from both groups on days 2–4 of the menstrual cycle, and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), prolactin (PRL), and AMH levels were measured. On the same day, AFCs and ovarian volumes were determined. Data on body mass index (BMI), gravidity/parity/abortions/alive counts, disease duration, and Marsh histological classification were recorded.

RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between CD and control groups in terms of mean age, BMI, or median gravidity/parity/abortions/alive counts (p>0.05). Also, there were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of mean FSH, LH, E2, PRL levels, right and left ovarian volumes, and median right and left ovarian AFCs (p>0.05). However, AMH level was significantly lower in the CD group (p=0.032). No statistically significant correlation was found between AMH levels and age, BMI, FSH, LH, E2, PRL levels, right and left ovarian volumes, right and left ovarian AFCs, or Marsh histological classification using the Spearman correlation test (p>0.05). However, an inverse correlation was detected showing that AMH levels decrease with increasing CD duration (r=–0.054, p=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: We found that AMH level and ovarian reserve was decreased in CD patients of reproductive age compared to healthy controls, and that AMH level and ovarian reserve decreased with increasing disease duration in CD patients.

Keywords: Anti-Mullerian Hormone, celiac disease, Infertility