Impact of socio-economic status on ovarian reserve markers

BACKGROUND: Fertility rates have started declining in India in the last few decades. The total fertility rate, which was 3.5 in 93-94 declined to 2.5 in 2005-6. Researchers attribute this fertility transition to concomitant socio-economic development. Decreasing ovarian reserve is an important contributor for age related infertility. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the association of ovarian reserve with socio-economic status (SES) with the available clinical ovarian reserve markers in reproductive age women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 160 married women in the age group of 20-35 years, belonging to all three socio-economic strata were assessed for ovarian reserve using the clinical ovarian reserve parameters Antimullerian hormone (AMH), Antral follicle count (AFC) and follicular stimulating hormone (FSH). Analysis of variance was used to see the association of ovarian reserve with SES. RESULTS: Both the ovarian parameters AMH and AFC have shown a significant association with SES (P = 0.000 for AMH and P = 0.023 for AFC). The association between FSH and SES was not significant (P = 0.147). CONCLUSIONS: Higher SES in this study was seen to be associated with better ovarian reserve as assessed by the available clinical ovarian reserve markers.