Role of intron 5 C/T polymorphism of the calcium sensing receptor gene in the regulation of the serum FSH and LH in post-menopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
High extracellular calcium concentration (Cao(2+)) acts to inhibit calcium sensing receptor (CaR) signalling on cellular surfaces in parathyroid glands. This receptor is, however, also expressed on the membranes of some non-calciotropic endocrine cells, including pituitary-derived cells. The aim of our study was to analyse relationships between the CaR gene and the circulating FSH and LH in normal post-menopausal women.


METHODS
A total of 95 untreated euparathyroid post-menopausal women were investigated in the study. The serum FSH and LH levels were evaluated in relationship to allele combinations of the CaR gene (C/T polymorphism in the intron 5 and A986S polymorphism in exon 7), using an analysis of co-variance (ANCOVA) model.


RESULTS
Distribution of TT, TC and CC allele combinations (intron 5 C/T polymorphism) was 51, 43 and 6 %, respectively. Higher serum FSH and LH levels were found in carriers of C allele than in women without this allele (p < 0.002 and p < 0.03, respectively). No correlations were found between A986S polymorphism and serum FSH and LH levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum FSH and LH levels are associated with intron 5 C/T (but not A986S) polymorphism of the CaR gene in untreated post-menopausal women. The physiological role of the CaR gene in the regulation of the gonadotropic function needs to be further investigated.
Zofková
I
I
Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czech Republic. izofkova@endo.cz
Zajícková
K
K
Hill
M
M
Vanková
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007438:Introns; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D017698:Postmenopause; D044169:Receptors, Calcium-Sensing / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013223:Statistics as Topic
D044169:Receptors, Calcium-Sensing; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D002118:Calcium