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REVIEW article

Front. Endocrinol.
Sec. Cancer Endocrinology
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1468364

Anti-Müllerian hormone: biology and role in endocrinology and cancers

Provisionally accepted
Marek Gowkielewicz Marek Gowkielewicz 1*Aleksandra Lipka Aleksandra Lipka 2Wojciech Zdanowski Wojciech Zdanowski 1Tomasz Waśniewski Tomasz Waśniewski 1Marta MAJEWSKA Marta MAJEWSKA 3Carsten Carlberg Carsten Carlberg 4,5
  • 1 Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland, Olsztyn, Poland
  • 2 Institute of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
  • 3 Department of Human Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland, Olsztyn, Poland
  • 4 Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Warmian-Masurian, Poland
  • 5 Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Northern Savonia, Finland

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a peptide belonging to the transforming growth factor beta superfamily and acts exclusively through its receptor type 2 (AMHR2). From the 8 th week of pregnancy, AMH is produced by Sertoli cells, and from the 23 rd week of gestation, it is produced by granulosa cells of the ovary. AMH plays a critical role in regulating gonadotropin secretion, ovarian tissue responsiveness to pituitary hormones, and the pathogenesis of polycystic ovarian syndrome. It inhibits the transition from primordial to primary follicles and is considered the best marker of ovarian reserve. Therefore, measuring AMH concentration of the hormone is valuable in managing assisted reproductive technologies. AMH was initially discovered through its role in the degeneration of Müllerian ducts in male fetuses. However, due to its ability to inhibit the cell cycle and induce apoptosis, it has also garnered interest in oncology. For example, antibodies targeting AMHR2 are being investigated for their potential in diagnosing and treating various cancers. Additionally, AMH is present in motor neurons and functions as a protective and growth factor. Consequently, it is involved in learning and memory processes and may support the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the biology of AMH and its role in both endocrinology and oncology.

    Keywords: AMH, Amhr2, Neuroendocrinology, oncology, Signal Transduction

    Received: 21 Jul 2024; Accepted: 29 Aug 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Gowkielewicz, Lipka, Zdanowski, Waśniewski, MAJEWSKA and Carlberg. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Marek Gowkielewicz, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland, Olsztyn, Poland

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.