Androgen receptor gene CAG repeat polymorphism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of the androgen receptor (AR) gene CAG repeat in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Case control study.


METHODS
University department of obstetrics and gynecology.


METHODS
Women with (n = 114) or without (n = 205) PCOS.


METHODS
Peripheral blood sampling was done for DNA analysis and serum hormone measurements.


METHODS
CAG repeat length and serum androgen levels.


RESULTS
No statistically significant CAG repeat length differences were found between patients and controls. We conducted a detailed analysis after dividing PCOS patients according to their free testosterone levels. The high free testosterone group had a statistically significantly longer mean biallelic average (24.0 +/- 2.0 vs. 23.0 +/- 1.5), short (22.5 +/- 1.8 vs. 21.7 +/- 1.9), and long (25.5 +/- 2.9 vs. 24.4 +/- 1.9) allelic lengths than the normal free testosterone group. In PCOS patients, a statistically significant correlation was found between biallelic average length and free testosterone concentration, either unadjusted or after adjustment.


CONCLUSIONS
The AR gene CAG repeat polymorphism may contribute to the serum concentration of free testosterone in PCOS patients. A subset of PCOS patients with relatively longer CAG repeats (less AR activity) tended to show a higher serum androgen concentration.
Kim
Jin Ju
JJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Choung
Seon Ha
SH
Choi
Young Min
YM
Yoon
Sang Ho
SH
Kim
Seok Hyun
SH
Moon
Shin Yong
SY
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D018911:Trinucleotide Repeats; D055815:Young Adult
C410798:AR protein, human; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D013739:Testosterone