title: Polymorphisms in gonadotropin and gonadotropin receptor genes as markers of ovarian reserve and response in in vitro fertilization.
abstract: Since gonadotropins are the fundamental hormones that control ovarian activity, genetic polymorphisms may alter gonadal responsiveness to glycoproteins; hence they are important regulators of hormone activity at the target level. The establishment of the pool of primordial follicles takes place during fetal life and is mainly under genetic control. Consequently, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in gonadotropins and their receptors do not seem to be associated with any significant modification in the endowment of nongrowing follicles in the ovary. Indeed, the age at menopause, a biological characteristic strongly related to ovarian reserve, as well as markers of functional ovarian reserve such as anti-Müllerian hormone and antral follicle count, are not different in women with different genetic variants. Conversely, some polymorphisms in FSH receptor (FSHR) seem to be associated with modifications in ovarian activity. In particular, studies suggest that the Ser680 genotype for FSHR is a factor of relative resistance to FSH stimulation resulting in slightly higher FSH serum levels, thus leading to a prolonged duration of the menstrual cycle. Moreover, some FSHR gene polymorphisms show a positive association with ovarian response to exogenous gonadotropin administration, hence exhibiting some potential for a pharmacogenetic estimation of the FSH dosage in controlled ovarian stimulation. The study of SNPs of the FSHR gene is an interesting field of research that could provide us with new information about the way each woman responds to exogenous gonadotropin administration during ovulation induction.
authors: Mother-Infant Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. antlamarca@libero.it
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: La Marca
authors: Giovanna
authors: G
authors: Sighinolfi
authors: Cindy
authors: C
authors: Argento
authors: Valentina
authors: V
authors: Grisendi
authors: Livio
authors: L
authors: Casarini
authors: Annibale
authors: A
authors: Volpe
authors: Manuela
authors: M
authors: Simoni
mesh_terms: D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D037201:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, beta Subunit / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005819:Genetic Markers; D015292:Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human; D037201:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, beta Subunit; D005819:Genetic Markers; D015292:Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit; D011962:Receptors, FSH; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone