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farriery
veterinary
biomechanics
anatomy
nutrition
physiotherapy
2015
Cohort Study

The interrelationship between anti-Müllerian hormone, ovarian follicular populations and age in mares.

Authors: Claes A, Ball B A, Scoggin K E, Esteller-Vico A, Kalmar J J, Conley A J, Squires E L, Troedsson M H T

Journal: Equine veterinary journal

Summary

# Editorial Summary: Anti-Müllerian Hormone, Ovarian Follicles and Age in Mares Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is produced by granulosa cells and inhibits early follicle development, making it a potential marker of ovarian reserve—a relationship well-established in other species but poorly characterised in mares. Claes and colleagues investigated whether circulating AMH concentrations correlated with antral follicle counts (AFC) and age in equines, examining how these parameters might indicate reproductive status and fertility potential across the mare's lifespan. The study revealed significant correlations between AMH levels, AFC and advancing age, with both declining progressively as mares aged, providing the first robust evidence that AMH functions similarly in horses as in other domestic species. These findings carry practical implications for stud managers and equine reproduction specialists: AMH testing offers a non-invasive, blood-based method to assess ovarian reserve and predict fertility outcomes without ultrasound examination, whilst also helping identify age-related reproductive decline earlier than behavioural or clinical signs might suggest. For performance horses and breeding programmes, AMH quantification could become a valuable screening tool to make informed decisions about breeding soundness examinations, retirement timing, or genetic management strategies.

Read the full abstract on PubMed

Practical Takeaways

  • AMH measurement may provide a useful biomarker for assessing ovarian reserve and reproductive potential in breeding mares
  • Understanding the relationship between AMH, follicle counts, and age can help predict fertility and guide breeding decisions in older mares
  • AFC and AMH together may improve accuracy of ovarian assessment compared to age alone

Key Findings

  • AMH concentrations are correlated with antral follicle counts (AFC) in mares, similar to other species
  • AMH and AFC are related to follicular reserve and ovarian function
  • Age influences both AMH concentrations and follicular populations in mares

Conditions Studied

ovarian follicular dynamicsreproductive aging in mares