Anti-Müllerian hormone plasma concentration in prepubertal ewe lambs as a predictor of their fertility at a young age

Abstract

BackgroundIn mammals, the ovarian follicular reserve is highly variable between individuals and impacts strongly on ovarian function and fertility. Nowadays, the best endocrine marker of this reserve in human, mouse and cattle is the anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). The objectives of this work were to determine whether AMH could be detected in the plasma of prepubertal ewe lambs and to assess its relationship with their fertility at a young age.ResultsPlasma was taken from 76 Rasa Aragonesa ewe lambs at 3.6 months of age for AMH determination. Simultaneously, 600 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) was administered and the number of ovulations recorded 6 days later. AMH was detected in 93% of the lambs, and the concentrations were about 3–4-fold higher in ovulating than in non-ovulating lambs (P < 0.004). Ewes aged around 10 months were mated, giving an overall fertility of 29%, and those failing to conceive were mated again 4 months later. Fertility at first mating was significantly correlated with plasma AMH concentration at 3.6 months (Spearman’s ρ = 0.34; P < 0.01). To use plasma AMH concentration as a screening test, a value of 97 pg/mL was determined as the optimum cutoff value to predict fertility at first mating (sensitivity = 68.2%; specificity = 72.2%). Fertility at first mating was 34.8 percentage points higher in ewe lambs with an AMH ≥ 97 pg/mL than in those with lower AMH concentrations (50% vs. 15%; P < 0.001).ConclusionsPlasma AMH concentration might be a reliable marker of the ovarian status of prepubertal ewe lambs, reflecting their ability to respond to eCG stimulation. A single AMH measurement performed on ewe lambs early in age could be useful to select for replacement ewes with a higher predicted fertility at first mating.

Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) and fertility management in agricultural species

“…When AMH concentrations were determined in prepubertal ewe lambs, AMH was higher in those animals that subsequently became pregnant after the first mating compared with individuals that became pregnant after the second mating or were not pregnant (Lahoz et al 2012). Although similar studies have not been done in cattle, in our recent work, AMH concentrations were determined in young adult Holstein heifers at 11-12 months of age and a variety of fertility measurements made before and after calving in the same individuals.…”

Postnatal pituitary and follicular activation: a revisited hypothesis in a sheep model

“…AMH concentration was measured in sheep plasma by using the AMH Gen II ELISA kit (Beckman Coulter, Inc., Brea, CA, USA) as previously described (Lahoz et al 2012, Estienne et al 2015. AMH concentrations were determined in 50 ml aliquots of undiluted plasma.…”

Anti-Müllerian Hormone Regulation by the Bone Morphogenetic Proteins in the Sheep Ovary: Deciphering a Direct Regulatory Pathway

“…AMH concentrations in plasma, follicular fluids, and culture media were determined using the AMH Gen II ELISA kit (Beckman Coulter France), which was validated for analysis of bovine and ovine samples (17,27,56,60). AMH concentrations were determined in 50-L aliquots of undiluted plasma or culture medium and 20 L of follicular fluids diluted 1:1000 for 1-to 3-mm follicles and 1:100 or 1:10 for 3-5 mm and more than 5-mm follicles.…”