Deoxyribonucleic acid damage study in primary amenorrhea by comet assay and karyotyping.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims at evaluating the chromosomal abnormalities and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage in cases with primary amenorrhea by karyotyping and comet assay.


METHODS
A total of 30 cases of primary amenorrhea were recruited. Secondary sexual characters were assessed by Tanner staging. Chromosomal analysis was performed by conventional phytohemagglutinin stimulated lymphocyte cell culture technique. Alkaline version of comet assay was used to evaluate DNA damage.


RESULTS
The chromosomal pattern of 20 subjects (66.7%) was found to be normal (46,XX). Two subjects had 46,XY pattern and eight subjects had Turner syndrome (45,X or 45,X/46,XX). The comet parameters were found to be increased among subjects with 45,X monosomy, when compared to the rest of the study group and also in subjects with Tanner stage 1 when compared to stage 2.


CONCLUSIONS
Comet assay revealed increased DNA damage in cases with 45,X monosomy, compared with subjects with 46,XX and 46,XY karyotype, which correlated with clinical features.
Department of Anatomy, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.
Sarah
S
Ramamurthy
Department of Anatomy, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.
Parkash
P
Chand
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.
Latha
L
Chaturvedula
Department of Anatomy, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.
K Ramachandra
KR
Rao
Comet assay; deoxyribonucleic acid damage; karyotyping; primary amenorrhea