Patients with cancer at the margins of reproductive age had reduced levels of anti-Müllerian hormone compared with patients experiencing infertility.

Objective: To compare the ovarian reserves between female patients with cancer and patients experiencing infertility.

Methods: A retrospective age-matched observational study was performed at Rotunda Hospital, Dublin. The study group included data from all female oncology patients attending for oocyte or embryo cryopreservation between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2013. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels were recorded at patients' initial visits before beginning chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The control group included patients without cancer who had their AMH levels recorded to investigate fertility or as a baseline level prior to beginning assisted reproductive treatment.

Results: The records of 118 oncology and 5231 control patients from the study period were identified. There was no difference in AMH levels between patients in the oncology and control groups aged 30-38years; however, significantly lower AMH levels were observed in patients in the oncology group aged 29years and younger (17.89pmol/L vs 23.35pmol/L; P=0.015), or at least 39years (2.65pmol/L vs 5.87pmol/L; P=0.028).

Conclusion: Before commencing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, patients in the oncology group at the margins of reproductive age had a diminished ovarian reserve compared with the control group. This should be considered when planning optimal doses of follicular stimulating hormone as part of controlled ovarian-stimulation regimes performed for embryo or oocyte cryopreservation prior to chemotherapy or radiotherapy.