Ovarian reserve and markers after chemotherapy in young women with early-stage breast cancer

Background: The aim of the study was to compare ovarian reserve and its markers between young women who received chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer and healthy controls. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Gülhane Military Medical Academy (GATA, currently Ankara Gülhane Training and Research Hospital), Ankara, Türkiye, between December 2010 and October 2011. Ovarian reserve was evaluated in 34 women with early-stage breast cancer who resumed regular menstruation after chemotherapy and compared with 34 age- and gravida-matched healthy controls. Main outcome measures included antral follicle count (AFC), total ovarian volume, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), FSH, and estradiol (E2) levels on days 2 or 3 of the menstrual cycle. Results: The median AFC was 5 in the cancer group and 7 in the controls. AMH, AFC, ovarian volume, and FSH levels significantly differed between groups, favoring the controls. A significant difference in E2 levels was also noted. AFC and AMH were strongly correlated (r=0.84 and r=0.74, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression identified AFC as the strongest predictor of AMH. Conclusions: Chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer is associated with reduced ovarian reserve in young women despite the continuation of menstruation.