Anti-mullerian hormone and inhibin B-markers of gonadal maturation and predictors of fertility?

This article provides a brief review of the diagnostic significance of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B in girls and female adolescents presenting to pediatric endocrinologists or adolescent gynecologists. Male sex is also briefly discussed. The physiology and pathophysiology of the two hormones are described. Severely decreased serum AMH concentrations make future ovarian failure likely, regardless of the age on examination. Inhibin B measurement is useful in differentiating hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and constitutional delay of puberty in girls of pubertal age. In males, AMH is a good indicator of the presence of testes in cryptorchidism. Inhibin B is also a helpful parameter for the differential diagnosis of delayed puberty in boys. The two hormonal analyses are still relatively new; more longitudinal studies are needed.