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Fertility/Hormonal balancing
A Simple Blood Test Markers to Determine Ovarian Reserve
Measurement of ovarian reserve is of interest to women in general, and assessment of ovarian reserve may provide insight into the remaining number of fertile years a woman has. The Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) is an endocrine marker for quantitive prediction of ovarian reserve, ovarian aging, ovarian dysfunction and ovarian responsiveness.
In instances of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a well-recognised endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, a two or three fold increase in growing follicles would be reflected in a two or three fold increase in blood AMH levels. The Anti-Mullerian Hormone test can therefore be beneficial in the diagnosis of PCOS and as a marker for the patient’s response to treatment.
FEMALE FERTILITY PROFILE:
Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH)
Blood AMH levels correlate with the number of antral follicles with great specificity than inhibit B, Oestradiol, Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone on day 3 of the cycle. Therefore, day 3 AMH levels may reflect ovarian status better than the usual hormone markers mentioned.
An AMH test cannot be done if you are on the pill. You will need to allow at least one cycle after stopping the pill before taking a test.
Measuring Ovarian Aging
Diminished ovarian reserve, associated with poor response to in vitro fertilization, is signalled by reduced baseline serum AMH concentrations. AMH would appear to be a useful marker for predicting ovarian aging and the potential for successful IVF.
Predicting Onset of Menopause
The duration of the menopausal transition can vary significantly in individual women, and reproductive capacity may be compromised before hormonal imbalances are evident. AMH levels can predict the occurrence of the menopausal transition.
Assessing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Blood AMH levels are elevated in patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and may be useful as a marker for the extent of the disease and the progress of treatment.
Inhibin B
If you have already had other tests, you may still be interested in finding out more about your underlying fertility problems. The Day 3 test can help to determine the quality and quantity of your ovarian reserve. Ovarian reserve often plays a dominant role in determining whether a not a couple will conceive. So if you are having difficulties conceiving, consult us about the Inhibin B test.
What is Inhibin B?
Inhibin B is a protein hormone produced by your ovaries. It works to inhibit FSH, which is responsible for helping your folicles to develop. Levels of Inhibin B decrease with age. Inhibin B is actually secreted directly by small follicles, developing in your ovaries. During the follicular phase of ovulation, small follicles eventually develop into mature eggs, ready for fertilization. Inhibin B has a sister hormone called Inhibin A, which is also produced by the ovaries.
The Inhibin B test is a simple blood test that measures the amount of in your blood. It is used in order to predict ovarian reserve, including egg quality and eqq quantity. Because Inhibin B is produced directly by ovarian follicles, the amount of it in your blood directly correlates to the number of eggs that you have in your ovaries. Inhibin B can also predict the ability of your ovaries to produce more follicles. This suggests that the hormone can predict the success of certain ovulation-inducing drugs, like Clomid.
Low levels of Inhibin B are associated with:
- impaired ovulation
- decreased success with IVF
- lower pregnancy rates
- increased risk of miscarriage
Number of women can benefit from the Inhibin Test, including:
- women who have shown a poor response to drugs
- women with a positive CCCT
- women with unexplained infertility
- women over the age of 35
MALE FERTILITY PROFILE:
The management and treatment of male infertility has undergone a reformation with the spectacular success of IVF. In addition, the well documented increased delay in childbearing by reproductive age women has led to re-evaluation of the overall effectiveness of male infertility treatments, as it introduces a newfound urgency into the reproductive equation.
Male-specific diagnostics now play a key role in the care of infertile couples.
Infection
Infections involving Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium and hominis, Ureaplasma uealyticum, E-Colii, Gonorrhoea, Syphillis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, herpes simplex virus I and II, and Trichomonas vaginalis have been shown to reduce sperm motility and also sperm function. The treatment of infection is will continue to be recommended.
Life-Style
The best-studied fertility supplements are the antioxidants, notably Vitamins E and C, acetylcysteine and glutathione. In small studies, Vitamin E (tocopherol) has been shown to improve sperm function and IVF success rates. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) has been reported to protect sperm DNA from the damage induced by exogenous oxidative stress in vitro. Other studies have also shown that higher levels of sperm DNA fragmentation, a marker of oxidative stress and possibly reduced fertility, are associated with lower levels of seminal ascorbic acid.
Combination therapy with essential fatty acids has been shown to improve sperm concentration in men with low sperm counts and significantly reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS). Sperm membranes play an important role in fertilization capacity as they harbour a higher concentration of polyunsatured fatty acids (PUFA) than other human cells. Sperm with the highest concentration of PUFA are thought to have the most normal morphology. The most protective antiperoxidative mechanism protecting PUFA uses thiol- or glutathione-dependent enzymes. For these reasons, ROS scavengers, such as Glutathione, are thought to maintain cell membrane stability.
Folate also plays a role in RNA and DNA synthesis during spermatogenesis and has antioxidant properties. Newer studies suggest that there may be benefit, especially for tobacco users. Most recently, when combined with zinc, folate supplementation was shown to increase sperm concentration in infertile men in a blinded, randomized, controlled trial.
Zinc plays an important role in testicular development, spermatogenesis and sperm motility. In fact, the zinc level in male genital organs is considerably higher than that in other tissues. It is predominantly secreted by the prostate and is also found in maturing spermatozoa. Among infertile men, studies have shown significant increases in testosterone levels after 40-50 days administration of zinc. Zinc deficiency has also been linked to oligospermia (very low sperm counts). Studies have shown resolution of oligospermia after a 24-40 week period of zinc supplementation.
Read our articles:
Hormone balancing
When we think of hormonal imbalances, we often recall spotty teenagers and women in menopause. The truth is, people of all ages may experience them, often with symptoms becoming evident in their late twenties and throughout their forties. read more
Overcoming Infertility
The evidence suggesting that natural medicine can increase a woman’s chance of becoming pregnant is growing. Anne Ioannides is not surprised – after years of struggle with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome she has the best proof of the link between fertility and natural medicine – a beautiful and healthy baby boy. read more
Alternative options for infertility
Having a large family was always my dream. I had planned to have kids in my early 20’s but my then my fiancé died very suddenly when I was 23. So it just wasn’t to be. read more
See also our Blood tests and Hormonal tests sections
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