title: Androgen receptor gene CAG length polymorphism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether the CAG repeat length of the androgen receptor (AR) gene contributes to individual differences in the susceptibility to the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-based clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred six nondiabetic women with PCOS and 112 nonhirsute fertile controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Androgen receptor gene CAG repeat length was analyzed in women with PCOS and their controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Androgen receptor gene CAG repeat length in both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean CAGn was 21.5 repeats in both groups (NS; t-test). Furthermore, when the CAGn lengths were divided into three categories (CAGn < or =18, 19-24, > or =25), the distribution was similar in both groups (NS; chi2 test). However, all five women carrying < or =15 CAG repeats belonged to the PCOS group. In the PCOS group, CAGn did not correlate with body mass index or serum testosterone concentration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Androgen receptor CAGn is not a major determinant of PCOS. However, it may be a significant modulator of androgen-related diseases in some individuals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland. jarmo.jaaskelainen@uku.fi
authors.forename: Jarmo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jääskeläinen
authors.forename: Seija
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Korhonen
authors.forename: Raimo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Voutilainen
authors.forename: Maritta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hippeläinen
authors.forename: Seppo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heinonen
mesh_terms: D000225:Adenine; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003596:Cytosine; D005260:Female; D006147:Guanine; D006801:Humans; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000502:physiology; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000235:genetics*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018911:Trinucleotide Repeats / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D006147:Guanine; D003596:Cytosine; D000225:Adenine