The Possibly Reversible Isotretinoin Effect of Decreased Ovarian Reserve in Sprague-Dawley Albinos: Part I, Biochemical Analyses.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The study aims to determine the detrimental effects of 7.5 mg/kg/day isotretinoin treatment on the anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels in an experimental study to see whether the effects on ovarian reserve are reversible. METHODS: Blood was sampled in 16 Sprague-Dawley albinos before any treatment to see baseline AMH levels. Then, the rats were randomly divided into 2 groups. Control group received only 1.0 ml soybean oil per oral for 30 days, whereas the study group received 7.5 mg/kg/day isotretinoin suspended in soybean oil. AMH levels were measured at the 30th day - immediately after the last medication - and on 60th day - 1 month after the last medication. RESULTS: The mean values of AMH levels were 8.16 ± 1.47, 6.95 ± 1.87, 6.27 ± 0.71 and 8.20 ± 1.48, 6.56 ± 1.45, 7.07 ± 0.96 ng/ml before, immediately after and 1 month after the last medication in the control and isotretinoin treatment group, respectively. The mean AMH levels significantly decreased (p = 0.02) immediately after isotretinoin administration. The mean AMH levels 1 month after the last dose of isotretinoin therapy were higher than the levels immediately after the medication; however, the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that exposure to isotretinoin is responsible for decreased AMH levels in experimental rat model and this effect seems to be reversible.