Daughters of PCOS mothers and AMH plasma concentrations in pre-puberty and puberty: A meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Reproductive Health
• Pediatric Endocrinology

Background:

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting reproductive-aged women.
• PCOS is associated with hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and polycystic ovarian morphology.
• The impact of maternal PCOS on offspring endocrine profiles, particularly Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) plasma concentrations in pre-pubertal and pubertal daughters of mothers with PCOS versus daughters of control mothers.
• To examine alterations in AMH levels during pre-puberty and across all stages of puberty in female offspring of mothers with PCOS.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Medline up to June 2024.
• Meta-analysis of observational studies comparing AMH plasma concentrations in daughters of PCOS mothers and control mothers.
• Study selection and data extraction followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Main Results:

• The meta-analysis included 5 studies out of 961 initially identified.
• Pre-pubertal daughters of mothers with PCOS showed significantly higher AMH plasma concentrations (pooled mean difference: 10.08).
• Pubertal daughters of mothers with PCOS also exhibited significantly higher AMH plasma concentrations (pooled mean difference: 15.79).

Conclusions:

• Female offspring of mothers with PCOS demonstrate elevated AMH levels in both pre-pubertal and pubertal stages compared to controls.
• Hyperandrogenism, hyperinsulinemia, and genetic, epigenetic, and intrauterine factors are implicated as key pathophysiological pathways.
• These findings highlight a potential endocrine predisposition in daughters of mothers with PCOS, warranting further research and monitoring.