The Effect of Isotretinoin On Ovarian Reserve
Hüseyin Aksoy (TR)
[Aksoy] Kayseri Education and Research Hospital
Objectives: To evaluate the impact of oral isotretinoin on ovarian reserve based on hormonal parameters, ovarian volume, and antral follicle count in reproductive aged women with acne. Methods: This prospective cohort study was performed at our tertiary referral center. Patients: Our study group consisted of 82 reproductive aged women with acne who were treated with oral isotretinoin. Intervention(s): To establish baseline values, on day 2-5 of the menstrual cycle, venous blood samples for hormonal assay and other biochemical parameters were obtained. Participants underwent ultrasonographic pelvic assessments on the same day. The number of antral follicles measuring 2–10 mm in diameter was counted and the OV was measured. Patients were treated with 0.6–0.8 mg/kg oral isotretinoin up to a total dose of 120–150 mg/kg. Treatment was started at 20 mg/day and gradually increased to the maximum of 40 mg/day. Patients were monitored monthly during isotretinoin treatment. Main Outcome Measure(s): Patients were evaluated for ovarian reserve prior to therapy and reevaluated 6 months after isotretinoin treatment with regards to hormonal parameters, ovarian volume, and antral follicle count . Results: Posttreatment levels of BUN, creatinine, AST, ALT, and ESR, were significantly higher; whereas Hgb and PLT levels were significantly lower. There was a significant decrease between pretreatment and posttreatment ovarian reserve parameters, namely, ovarian volume, antral follicle count and anti-Mullerian hormone values. Conclusions: Our study is the first to analyze levels of serum AMH, AFC, and OV in patients treated with oral isotretinoin for acne. We found a significant decrease in all three levels after oral isotretinoin treatment. Further prospective, multicenter trials are required to clarify the results.