A polymorphism of the Nos3 gene and age at natural menopause.
To investigate the possible influence of a polymorphism of the Nos3 gene on menarche and onset of menopause in humans. Cohort study.Academic research institution.Ninety-one consecutive Caucasian postmenopausal women. Peripheral venous puncture and a patient questionnaire were administered.A tandem repeat polymorphism in intron 4 of Nos3 was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction amplification. The common B allele was identified on 143 of 182 chromosomes (frequency 0.79). The polymorphic A allele was present on 39 chromosomes (frequency 0.21). The genotype frequencies were as follows: 58.2% (B/B), 40.7% (A/B), and 1.1% (A/A). Age at menarche, number of deliveries, number of miscarriages, and onset of menopause did not differ between genotypes. Smoking and increased body mass index were associated with an earlier onset of natural menopause.In contrast to mouse models, in humans Nos3 does not seem to modulate onset and cessation of menses.
Hefler
Lukas A
LA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Vienna Medical School, Vienna, Austria. lukas.hefler@akh-wien.ac.at
Worda
Christoph
C
Huber
Johannes C
JC
Tempfer
Clemens B
CB
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000483:Alleles; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000235:genetics*; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000502:physiology*; D012907:Smoking; D020080:Tandem Repeat Sequences
C496314:NOS3 protein, human; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III