Introduction. Although there has been a growing concern over the possible
damaging effect of salpingectomy on ovarian reserve, this issue remains
uncertain. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to test the hypothesis that
salpingectomy may compromise ovarian reserve. Material and methods. A
detailed search was conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, Dynamed Plus,
ScienceDirect, TRIP database and the Cochrane Library from January 2000 to
November 2016. All cohort, cross-sectional and randomized controlled studies
investigating changes in circulating anti-M€ullerian hormone (AMH) after
salpingectomy were considered. Thirty-seven studies were identified, of which
eight were eligible. Data were extracted and entered into REVMAN software for
calculation of the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% CI. Two groups
of studies were analyzed separately: group 1 (six studies, n = 464) comparing
data before and after salpingectomy and group 2 (two studies) comparing data
in women who have undergone salpingectomy (n = 169) vs. healthy controls
(n = 154). Results. Pooled results of group 1 studies showed no statistically
significant change in serum AMH concentration after salpingectomy (WMD,

0.10 ng/mL; 95% CI
0.19 to 0.00, I2 = 0%). Similarly, meta-analysis of
group 2 showed no statistically significant difference in serum AMH
concentration between salpingectomy group and controls (WMD,
0.11 ng/
mL; 95% CI
0.37 to 0.14, I2 = 77%). Subgroup analyses based on laterality of
surgery, type of AMH kit and participants’ age (<40 years) still showed no
statistically significant changes in circulating AMH. Conclusion. Salpingectomy
does not seem to compromise ovarian reserve in the short-term. However, the
long-term effect of salpingectomy on ovarian reserve remains uncertain.
Abbreviations: AFC, antral follicle count; AMH, anti-M€ullerian hormone; FSH,
follicle-stimulating hormone; IVF, in vitro fertilization; RCT, randomized
controlled trial; WMD, weighted mean difference.