The significance of anti-Mullerian hormone concentration in seminal plasma for spermatogenesis

BACKGROUND: The function of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) in seminal plasma in adulthood is uncertain. We examined the significance of seminal AMH for spermatogenesis. METHODS: We measured seminal concentrations of AMH in 39 oligozoospermic men (mean age +/- SD, 32.7 +/- 4.3 years) and 10 normal volunteers to examine the association of seminal AMH with spermatogenesis. The seminal concentrations of AMH in oligozoospermic men (149.3 +/- 254.0 pmol/l) were significantly lower than in normal men (249.0 +/- 167.7 pmol/l, P +/- 0.0337). Seminal AMH concentration correlated significantly with sperm concentration (r = 0.339, P = 0.0350) and mean testicular volume (r = 0.440, P = 0.246). The serum concentration of LH (r = - 0.365, P = 0.0241), but not FSH, testosterone or estradiol, correlated significantly with AMH concentration in seminal plasma. CONCLUSIONS: AMH in seminal plasma may be important for sperm production, and is a good marker for Sertoli cell development.