Shorter CAG repeats in the androgen receptor gene may enhance hyperandrogenicity in polycystic ovary syndrome.
BACKGROUND
The main goal of the present study was to assess the influence of the androgen receptor gene CAG repeat polymorphism on hyperandrogenism and its phenotypical features in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
CAG repeat lengths were analyzed in 97 oligo-anovulatory women with ultrasound features of PCOS. All individuals were assessed for endocrine parameters and their phenotypical features were recorded. These parameters were correlated with the CAG repeat lengths.


RESULTS
PCOS patients with a bi-allelic mean lower than 21 repeats had lower dihydrotestosterone levels (p = 0.007), lower androstenedione levels (p = 0.023), lower luteinizing hormone levels (p = 0.023), a lower luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone ratio (p = 0.021) and the highest percentage of patients with acne and/or hirsutism (p = 0.021).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings support the hypothesis that the PCOS phenotype may result from either elevated androgen levels or an enhanced sensitivity to androgens caused by a more active androgen receptor.
Van Nieuwerburgh
Filip
F
Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Stoop
Dominic
D
Cabri
Patrick
P
Dhont
Marc
M
Deforce
Dieter
D
De Sutter
Petra
P
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010641:Phenotype; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000235:genetics*; D018911:Trinucleotide Repeats
C410798:AR protein, human; D000728:Androgens; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone