Mutation screening and isoform prevalence of the follicle stimulating hormone receptor gene in women with premature ovarian failure, resistant ovary syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether mutations in the FSH receptor gene are associated with premature ovarian failure (POF) or resistant ovary syndrome (ROS) in women in the UK. To determine whether an allelic variant of the FSH receptor gene affects fertility parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
A mutation screen using DNA from women with POF and ROS. Restriction digest of amplified DNA from women with POF, ROS, PCOS and controls to determine allelic variant status. Fertility parameters were compared between allelic variant subgroups of women with PCOS.


METHODS
The study population comprised 49 women with POF, 5 with ROS, 93 with PCOS and 51 controls.


METHODS
In women with PCOS, fertility and menstrual status was recorded and serum FSH and ovarian volume were measured.


RESULTS
No mutation of the FSH receptor gene was found in women with POF or ROS. The allelic variant Thr307/Ser680 was found to be similarly prevalent in all study groups. The Thr307/Ser680 variant was found to have no phenotype in terms of fertility parameters in women with PCOS.


CONCLUSIONS
Mutations of the FSH receptor gene are rare in women with premature ovarian failure or resistant ovary syndrome in the UK. Polymorphisms of the FSH receptor gene do not appear to have pathophysiological significance with regard to ovarian function.
Conway
G S
GS
Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University College London Hospitals, London, UK. g.conway@ucl.ac.uk
Conway
E
E
Walker
C
C
Hoppner
W
W
Gromoll
J
J
Simoni
M
M
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000235:genetics*
D020033:Protein Isoforms; D011962:Receptors, FSH; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone