New: Felines added to the Ovarian Remnant Panel – AMH plus progesterone

Two tests are better than one, and therefore we’ve combined our anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and progesterone tests into an ovarian remnant panel. A few months ago, we began offering an ovarian remnant panel for dogs, and now we are expanding this testing option to cats as well.

Whereas cats are generally considered to be induced ovulators, a substantial proportion of queens can and do ovulate spontaneously, and this can result in falsely negative AMH results. Because it can be difficult to know at the time of sample collection if an ovarian remnant’s primary secretory product is going to be AMH or progesterone, it’s prudent to evaluate both hormones at the same time. Two complete ovaries in an intact cat or dog have plenty of AMH-secreting follicles to consistently yield a positive AMH test result, but an ovarian remnant likely has relatively fewer of these follicles. When the follicles in a remnant progress towards ovulation, they transition away from AMH production and shift to progesterone production. Following ovulation, corpora lutea (CL) cease to produce AMH and progesterone secretion increases markedly. Because AMH and progesterone secretion wax and wane asynchronously, we have determined that the combined analysis of AMH and progesterone is better than either test alone in the assessment of ovarian remnant syndrome. Please keep in mind that AMH is only produced by the ovaries, and unlike progesterone, it is not available as a topical preparation that can be transferred from owner to pet. Therefore, it’s imperative to rule out topical progesterone use as a possible reason for a positive progesterone test result.

We are pleased to offer the ovarian remnant panel for both cats and dogs at a reduced price as compared to the combined price of the two individual hormone tests. If you have any questions about this new testing option, please contact the Diagnostic Endocrinology Laboratory at (607) 253-3673.