Diminished ovarian reserve in women with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia major: Is iron gonadotoxic?. (September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Uysal, Aysel; Alkan, Gül; Kurtoğlu, Ayşegül; Erol, Onur; Kurtoğlu, Erdal
• Is Part Of: European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology. Volume 216(2017)
• Page Start: 69
• Page End: 73
• Publication Date: 2017-09
• Subjects: Ovarian reserve -- Iron overload -- Thalassemia major; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Gynecology -- Periodicals; Reproductive health -- Periodicals; Gynecology -- Periodicals; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; Obstétrique -- Périodiques; Gynécologie -- Périodiques; Reproduction -- Périodiques; Verloskunde; Gynaecologie; Voortplanting (biologie); Gynecology; Obstetrics; Reproduction; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 618.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2017.06.038
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-2115

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Iron accumulation in the endocrine glands has been implicated in the aetiopathogenesis of decreased reproductive capacity in patients with beta-thalassemia major (β-TM). The aim of the current study was to investigate the serum concentration of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), a marker of ovarian reserve, in women with transfusion-dependent β-TM. Study design: In this case-control study, we recruited 43 women with transfusion-dependent TM and 44 age-matched healthy controls. Hormonal and haematological parameters, serum level of AMH, antral follicle count, and ovarian volume were assessed. Results: Twenty-two of the 43 women were hypogonadotropic, 8 with primary amenorrhea and 14 with secondary amenorrhea. FSH, LH, estradiol, prolactin, and AMH levels; antral follicle count; and ovarian volume were significantly lower in women with TM compared with the control group (p < 0.05 for all). Conclusion: AMH level and other ovarian reserve markers are significantly diminished in women with transfusion-dependent TM compared to age-matched controls. Our findings support a deleterious effect of iron overload on ovarian tissue.