Antimullerian hormone

Antimullerian hormone is a protein hormone produced by mammalian gonads. Amounts vary by age and sex. The best understood sex difference in AMH production occurs in fetal life, when the testes of male fetuses produce AMH to block development and cause regression of the mullerian ducts. This prevents the mullerian ducts from developing into fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and upper vagina. Fetal ovaries do not make AMH, which allows these structures to develop in females. AMH production by testes remains high throughout childhood but declines to low levels during puberty and adult life. AMH measurements have become widely used in the last few years in the evaluation of testicular presence and function in infants with intersex conditions, ambiguous genitalia, and cryptorchidism. AMH production by ovaries is minimal in fetal life but can become measurable after puberty. Functions in females are not well understood. See sexual differentiation.