title: Androgen receptor CAG repeat length is associated with ovarian reserve but not with ovarian response.
abstract: The human androgen receptor (AR) gene contains a highly polymorphic CAG repeat sequence within exon 1. In-vitro studies have shown a relationship between CAG repeats in the AR gene and its transactivation potential. This variation in length may play a role in anovulatory infertility. The objective of this study was to investigate whether CAG polymorphism of the AR gene has a predictive value for ovarian reserve, response and cycle outcome in an egg donor programme. CAG length of the AR gene was determined in 147 oocyte donors. All donors underwent ovarian stimulation with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol (n = 355). No differences were reported in days of stimulation, gonadotrophin doses, and number of oocytes retrieved. Clinical outcomes were not affected by the CAG repeat length of the AR gene; the primary end-point, antral follicle count, was significantly affected (P < 0.05). In conclusion, in a population of fertile egg donors AR gene CAG polymorphism does not affect ovarian response to gonadotrophins. Antral follicle count was associated with the CAG polymorphism genotype. This suggests that genetic factors may increase susceptibility to poor ovarian reserve, and that AR gene genotype could play a role in the natural ovarian ageing process.
authors.affiliation: IB Biotech, 03016 Alicante, Spain;. Electronic address: blledo@institutobernabeu.com.
authors.forename: Belén
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lledó
authors.affiliation: Instituto Bernabeu of Fertility and Gynecology, 03016 Alicante, Spain.
authors.forename: Joaquin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Llácer
authors.affiliation: IB Biotech, 03016 Alicante, Spain;
authors.forename: Azahara
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Turienzo
authors.affiliation: IB Biotech, 03016 Alicante, Spain;
authors.forename: Jose Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ortiz
authors.affiliation: Instituto Bernabeu of Fertility and Gynecology, 03016 Alicante, Spain.
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guerrero
authors.affiliation: IB Biotech, 03016 Alicante, Spain;
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.affiliation: Instituto Bernabeu of Fertility and Gynecology, 03016 Alicante, Spain.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ten
authors.affiliation: IB Biotech, 03016 Alicante, Spain;; Instituto Bernabeu of Fertility and Gynecology, 03016 Alicante, Spain.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bernabeu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000494:pharmacology*; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D018587:Oocyte Donation; D065851:Ovarian Reserve; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain; D019680:Trinucleotide Repeat Expansion; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate / Q000494:pharmacology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D050477:Urofollitropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C410798:AR protein, human; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D050477:Urofollitropin; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; C062876:cetrorelix
keywords: CAG polymorphism; androgen receptor; oocyte donor; ovarian reserve; ovarian stimulation