Genetic variations of follicle stimulating hormone receptor are associated with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder and the criteria are specified by hyperandrogenism, oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea and polycystic ovary morphology. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) has effects on oogenesis and follicle development. Several polymorphisms of FSH receptor (FSHR) are related to primary amenorrhea, hypoplastic ovary, and high serum levels of FSH. Thus, an increase in FSH level leads to follicle maturation and proliferation of granulosa cells. The aim of this study was to determine whether Ser680Asn and Ala307Thr polymorphisms of FSHR were associated with the clinical features of PCOS in a Korean population. PCOS patients (n=235) and control subjects (n=128) in the reproductive age were recruited from the Fertility Center of CHA General Hospital in Seoul, Korea. For Ser680Asn and Ala307Thr polymorphisms in FSHR, frequency of respective genotypes was measured and statistical analysis was performed. Haplotype analysis between Ser680Asn and Ala307Thr was also performed. We found that the Ser680Asn of FSHR is associated with PCOS (p=0.0195, OR=1.66). However, in case of Ala307Thr, the variant is negligible and is not associated with PCOS (p=0.6963, OR=1.08). In haplotype analysis, Ser680Asn and Ala307Thr polymorphisms are not related with PCOS. Consequently, the Ser680Asn polymorphism of FSHR might significantly affect PCOS patients, separately from the Ala307Thr polymorphism.