Anti-Müllerian hormone independently affect mtDNA copy number in human granulosa cells

Recently, as a delayed childbearing trend is emerging in modern women's adulthood, diminished reproductive potential due to age-related changes is more prevalent. Reduction in the abundance of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copies and circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) have been separately reported with aging, contributing to the decrease in successful reproduction. However, there are limited reports on the impact of age on mtDNA and AMH in the same individual and whether mtDNA copy numbers are influenced by age and AMH.

In the present study, we utilized a real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) to quantify the mtDNA copy number of granulosa cells obtained from 43 women undergoing an in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) program.

According to our analysis, a significant correlation was observed between age and mtDNA copy number (r = -0.54, P < 0.001) and between age and AMH level (r = -0.48, P < 0.001) of the same individual. There was also a positive correlation between mtDNA copy number and AMH (r = 0.88, P < 0.001) with AMH level falling as mtDNA decreases. In our regression, age and AMH were shown to have low collinearity (VIF = 1.297) but only AMH was correlated with mtDNA quantity (P < 0.001).

Our study suggests that both mtDNA and AMH abundance are influenced by age and that AMH levels independently affect mtDNA copy number regardless of age. Further research is required to understand the role of AMH on mitochondria bioenergetics.