engleski

CAG polymorphism in androgen receptor gene is not directly associated with polycystic ovary syndrome but influences serum testosterone levels

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most frequent endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of TAAAA repeat allele length on serum SHBG levels and on cardiovascular risk factors in PCOS patients. Ninety-one Croatian women with PCOS and 99 healthy control women of reproductive age were enrolled. Phenotypic hyperandrogenism, BMI and waist–to-hip ratio were recorded. Hormonal profiles, fasting insulin and glucose levels, lipid profile and C–reactive protein were measured. Genotyping of the TAAAA repeat polymorphism in the SHBG gene was performed. No significant difference was found in the frequency and distribution of TAAAA repeat alleles between PCOS patients and controls (P=0.739). Serum SHBG levels were inversely correlated with serum CRP levels (R=0.489, P<0.001) in PCOS patients. PCOS patients with long TAAAA repeat alleles had a significantly lower serum SHBG and free testosterone levels (P<0.001 and P=0.001, respectively), while CRP levels were higher than in patients with short allele repeats (P<0.001). A multiple linear regression model using the number of TAAAA repeats, WHR, HOMA-IR and age as independent predictors explained 44.8% of the variability in serum SHBG levels. In this model the TAAAA repeat polymorphism was found to be the only significant predictor of serum SHBG levels (P<0.001). In conclusion, the TAAAA repeat polymorphism is not a major determinant of the PCOS status, though it influences serum SHBG levels in Croatian women with PCOS. A strong independent relationship exists between serum SHBG and CRP levels.

SHBG; CRP; TAAAA repeat polymorphism; polycystic ovary sy

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