Serum müllerian-inhibiting substance levels during normal menstrual cycles.

OBJECTIVE

To measure serum levels of müllerian-inhibiting substance (MIS) during the normal menstrual cycle.

DESIGN

Serum was collected from women during ovulation and the mid-luteal and early follicular phases of the menstrual cycles. It was stored frozen at -80 degrees C until assayed.

SETTING

University of Louisville Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Surgery.

PATIENT(S): Twenty healthy women 22-35 years of age with normal menstrual cycles.

INTERVENTION(S): Blood samples were collected on menstrual cycle day two or three and on the day of LH surge plus one and plus seven or eight.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Serum MIS levels were measured by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULT(S): Serum MIS levels ranged from a low of 1.4 +/- 0.9 ng/mL (mean [+/-SD]) in the early follicular phase, peaked mid-cycle at 1.7 +/- 1.1 ng/mL, and decreased to 1.4 +/- 0.9 ng/mL in the mid-luteal phase of the normal menstrual cycle.

CONCLUSION(S): Fluctuations in serum MIS levels during the menstrual cycle suggest that MIS may have a regulatory role in folliculogenesis.