Circulating AMH Reflects Ovarian Morphology by Magnetic Resonance Imaging and 3D Ultrasound in 121 Healthy Girls

Abstract

Similarly to adult women, small and medium antral follicles (≤6 mm) were the main contributors to circulating levels of AMH in girls.

Uterine volume and endometrial thickness in healthy girls evaluated by ultrasound (3-dimensional) and magnetic resonance imaging

“…Our data from late prepubertal girls (Tanner stage B1: median age 10.9 years; median volume 4.1 cm 3 ) provide evidence that uterine growth precedes development of breast tissue (6,7). This prepubertal uterine growth may be caused by low concentrations of E 2 originating from: the small number of large follicles present, even in prepubertal girls (13); E 2 aromatized from adrenal androgens (16); or direct stimulation by uterine growth from increasing levels of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I before pubertal onset (17). Unfortunately, we do not have data on growth factors available from the girls in the present study.…”

“…Methodology and results concerning the assessment of ovarian volume and follicle numbers have been published elsewhere (13). In short, follicles were measured, counted (sum of follicles from both ovaries), and grouped according to size; TAUS (n ¼ 94): 1-4 mm, R5 mm; MRI (n ¼ 87): 2-3 mm, 4-6 mm, R7 mm.…”

“…Serum E 2 was measured by radioimmunoassay (Pantex), with detection limit 18 pmol/L; and intra-and inter-assay coefficients of variability were <8% and 13%, respectively. Circulating levels of E 2 have been published elsewhere (13).…”

The Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome during Adolescence

“…At the center of this controversy is the fact that the guidelines used to define PCOM overlap with the criteria for a multifollicular ovary especially when utilizing a transabdominal approach and follicle counts. The ovarian volume starts to increase with the onset of puberty, achieves maximum volume soon after (between menarche and age 16 years), and remains stable or decreases slightly thereafter [82][83][84][85] . Follicle number and size are also noted to increase with puberty, with a higher number of small follicles during adolescence and young adulthood and a decrease thereafter [84] .…”

“…The ovarian volume starts to increase with the onset of puberty, achieves maximum volume soon after (between menarche and age 16 years), and remains stable or decreases slightly thereafter [82][83][84][85] . Follicle number and size are also noted to increase with puberty, with a higher number of small follicles during adolescence and young adulthood and a decrease thereafter [84] . Isolated studies have also suggested the use of MRI or Doppler examination for the diagnosis of PCOM [85][86][87][88] .…”