Common hormone labs sent in support of ovarian reserve testing and reproductive endocrinology/infertility evaluations
| . | Clinical significance . | Limitations . |
|---|---|---|
| Follicle-stimulating hormone | - Pituitary hormone that binds to ovarian granulosa cells where androgens are converted to estrogens - Stimulates folliculogenesis - Ovarian reserve marker - ≥25-40 IU × 2, premature ovarian insufficiency | Fluctuates with menstrual cycle |
| Luteinizing hormone | - Pituitary hormone that stimulates progesterone and androgen production within ovarian theca cells - Oocyte maturation—progresses from arrested prophase I to metaphase II (state required for fertilization) | Fluctuates with menstrual cycle |
| Estradiol | - Produced by testosterone via aromatase in granulosa cells - Breast and uterine development during puberty - Prepares endometrium for embryo implantation - Maintains bone mineral density - Measure of ovarian function | Fluctuates with menstrual cycle |
| Progesterone | - Stabilizes and maintains uterine lining for pregnancy - Decline induces menses | Fluctuates with menstrual cycle |
| AMH | - Ovarian reserve marker - <1-1.1 ng/mL consistent with diminished ovarian reserve (assay dependent) - Helps predict ovarian response to IVF medications | Does not fluctuate with menstrual cycle Varies with age Wide range of normal Reflects growing follicle pool May not reflect dormant primordial follicle pool |
| Antral follicle count | - Ovarian reserve measure - Helps predict ovarian response to IVF medications and pregnancy rate | Inter- and intracycle variation Prone to observer bias |
| . | Clinical significance . | Limitations . |
|---|---|---|
| Follicle-stimulating hormone | - Pituitary hormone that binds to ovarian granulosa cells where androgens are converted to estrogens - Stimulates folliculogenesis - Ovarian reserve marker - ≥25-40 IU × 2, premature ovarian insufficiency | Fluctuates with menstrual cycle |
| Luteinizing hormone | - Pituitary hormone that stimulates progesterone and androgen production within ovarian theca cells - Oocyte maturation—progresses from arrested prophase I to metaphase II (state required for fertilization) | Fluctuates with menstrual cycle |
| Estradiol | - Produced by testosterone via aromatase in granulosa cells - Breast and uterine development during puberty - Prepares endometrium for embryo implantation - Maintains bone mineral density - Measure of ovarian function | Fluctuates with menstrual cycle |
| Progesterone | - Stabilizes and maintains uterine lining for pregnancy - Decline induces menses | Fluctuates with menstrual cycle |
| AMH | - Ovarian reserve marker - <1-1.1 ng/mL consistent with diminished ovarian reserve (assay dependent) - Helps predict ovarian response to IVF medications | Does not fluctuate with menstrual cycle Varies with age Wide range of normal Reflects growing follicle pool May not reflect dormant primordial follicle pool |
| Antral follicle count | - Ovarian reserve measure - Helps predict ovarian response to IVF medications and pregnancy rate | Inter- and intracycle variation Prone to observer bias |