Association between genes encoding components of the Leutinizing hormone/Luteinizing hormone-choriogonadotrophin receptor pathway and polycystic ovary syndrome in Egyptian women

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine-metabolic disorders; however, its pathophysiology is still unclear. Certain polymorphisms of luteinizing hormone beta-subunit (LH) and LH/choriogonadotrophin receptor (LHCGR) genes may lead to changes in the bioactivity of this hormone. We aimed to investigate possible associations between polymorphisms in the LH and LHCGR genes and PCOS among Egyptian women. We also aimed to shed light on the impact of these polymorphisms on LH level, hormonal, and metabolic features of PCOS. A case-control study included unrelated 210 patients with PCOS and 200 healthy controls, and they were stratified according to their body mass index into two subgroups: lean and obese. Polymorphisms of LH G1502A and LHCGR [G935A, and ins18LQ] genes were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Our results revealed that LH G1052A GA genotype and A allele, LHCGR G935A GA, AA genotypes, or A allele were significantly associated with PCOS risk, while the LHCGR ins18LQ polymorphism was not. Additionally, there is a synergism between LH G1052A minor A and minor A allele of LHCGR G935A or minor ins allele of LHCGR ins18LQ and susceptibility to PCOS. When we stratified PCOS women or controls into obese and lean subjects, we found that LH G1502A GA genotype and A allele being more frequent in the obese group when compared with lean patients with PCOS [The odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were 5.6 (1.30-24.56) and 5.15 (1.21-21.90), respectively, P=0.01, for each group.] These results suggested that LH G1052A and LHCGR G935A genes polymorphisms are associated with increased risk of PCOS in Egyptian women especially in obese cases. There was a synergism between LH G1052A minor A allele and of LHCGR G935A minor A or minor ins alleles of LHCGR ins18LQ and PCOS risk. (c) 2015 IUBMB Life, 68(1):23-36, 2016