Correlation of telomere length and telomerase activity with occult ovarian insufficiency.
BACKGROUND
Occult ovarian insufficiency is associated with infertility, impaired response to ovarian stimulation, and reduced live birth rates in women treated with assisted reproductive technologies. Although a decline in ovarian follicle number is expected with age, the proximate causes of occult ovarian insufficiency in young women remain poorly understood. Abnormalities in telomere length and telomerase activity in human granulosa cells may serve as molecular markers for this condition.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was performed. Subjects (37 yr old or less) undergoing in vitro fertilization were classified as cases of occult ovarian insufficiency or controls with mechanical infertility (male or tubal factor). Granulosa cells were acquired at the time of oocyte retrieval to quantify telomere length and telomerase activity.


RESULTS
Fifty-four women were enrolled. Human granulosa cell telomerase activity was demonstrated, and lack of granulosa cell telomerase activity was associated with occult ovarian insufficiency (odds ratio, 11.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-495.6; P = 0.02). Telomeres were shorter in women with occult ovarian insufficiency than in controls (relative telomere/single copy gene ratio, 1.88 vs. 3.15; P = 0.039).


CONCLUSIONS
Aberrant telomere homeostasis is associated with occult ovarian insufficiency in young women. This finding is consistent with the presence of telomeric attenuation that has been shown in multiple age-related conditions.
Division of Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology, University of Pennsylvania Medical School, 3701 Market Street, Suite 800, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. sbutts@obgyn.upenn.edu
Samantha
S
Butts
Harold
H
Riethman
Sarah
S
Ratcliffe
Alka
A
Shaunik
Christos
C
Coutifaris
Kurt
K
Barnhart
D000328:Adult; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D002469:Cell Separation; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D019098:Telomerase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016615:Telomere / Q000235:genetics / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D055815:Young Adult
D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D004247:DNA; D019098:Telomerase