Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor and DAZL gene polymorphisms do not affect the age of menopause.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether single nucleotide FSH receptor and DAZL gene polymorphisms are associated with menarche and menopause timing.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Siena and Münster Universities.


METHODS
Physiologically menopausal women.


METHODS
The presence of FSH receptor or DAZL gene polymorphisms was investigated. Blood samples were collected and polymorphisms evaluated in extracted genomic DNA.


METHODS
Menarche age, menopausal age, and total years of fertility were evaluated on the basis of FSH receptor (genotypes Asn/Asn, Asn/Ser, and Ser/Ser at codon 680) and DAZL gene.


RESULTS
The median age of menarche was 13 years in the Asn/Asn group and 12 years in the Asn/Ser and Ser/Ser groups. The median age at menopause was 50 years in the Asn/Asn and Asn/Ser groups and 51 years in the Ser/Ser group. The length of the fertile period was 37 years in the Asn/Asn group, 38 years in the Asn/Ser group, and 39 years in the Ser/Ser group. Regarding the DAZL polymorphism, A/A, A/G, and G/G had the same age at menarche, age at menopause, and length of fertile period.


CONCLUSIONS
We found that genotype of FSH receptor or SNP of DAZL do not predict the age at natural menopause and duration of fertility in women. The presence of Asn680/Asn680 genotype is associated with a slightly delayed age at menarche.
Zerbetto
Irene
I
Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
Gromoll
Jörg
J
Luisi
Stefano
S
Reis
Fernando M
FM
Nieschlag
Eberhard
E
Simoni
Manuela
M
Petraglia
Felice
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008572:Menarche / Q000235:genetics; D008593:Menopause / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000235:genetics*
C101358:DAZL protein, human; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D011962:Receptors, FSH