Mutation analysis of FOXL2 gene in Chinese patients with premature ovarian failure.

Premature ovarian failure (POF) has recently been associated with mutations in Forkhead L2 (FOXL2) gene, which also being a candidate for blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus (BPES) syndrome. In the current study, we performed a screening analysis by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing in 118 patients, including one with BPES and her family of six members. The results came back with no novel mutations but one common 30 bp duplication within FOXL2 polyalanine tract in the abovementioned POF plus BPES patient, suggesting mutations in FOXL2 gene was not common among Chinese patients with POF.