Apolipoprotein E alleles in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the frequency of apoE alleles among women with polycystic ovary syndrome.


METHODS
Retrospective case-control study.


METHODS
University-based endocrinology/infertility clinic.


METHODS
Healthy fertile women (n = 91) and women with a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (n = 58).


METHODS
None.


METHODS
The presence of the three most common apoE alleles (epsilon2, epsilon3, and epsilon4) determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in the two groups and in the general population in our area.


RESULTS
The frequency of the apo epsilon4 allele was 17.2% among women with polycystic ovary syndrome and was 18.7% among healthy fertile women, which is close to the rate in the general population in our area (19%). None of the apoE genotypes (Fisher's exact test; P=.71) or alleles (P=.78) was significantly overrepresented, and the homozygous genotype epsilon4 was not associated with the clinical disease.


CONCLUSIONS
The observed profiles of allele and genotype frequencies confirm the equilibrium state between apoE polymorphism and polycystic ovary syndrome and suggest that apoE does not play a major role in the development of hyperlipidemia in the group of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Heinonen
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland. seppo.heinonen@kuh.fi
Korhonen
S
S
Hippeläinen
M
M
Hiltunen
M
M
Mannermaa
A
A
Saarikoski
S
S
D000483:Alleles; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D004247:DNA