Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor and DAZL gene polymorphisms do not affect the age of menopause.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether single nucleotide FSH receptor and DAZL gene polymorphisms are associated with menarche and menopause timing.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

Siena and Münster Universities.

PATIENT(S): Physiologically menopausal women.

INTERVENTION(S): The presence of FSH receptor or DAZL gene polymorphisms was investigated. Blood samples were collected and polymorphisms evaluated in extracted genomic DNA.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Menarche age, menopausal age, and total years of fertility were evaluated on the basis of FSH receptor (genotypes Asn/Asn, Asn/Ser, and Ser/Ser at codon 680) and DAZL gene.

RESULT(S): The median age of menarche was 13 years in the Asn/Asn group and 12 years in the Asn/Ser and Ser/Ser groups. The median age at menopause was 50 years in the Asn/Asn and Asn/Ser groups and 51 years in the Ser/Ser group. The length of the fertile period was 37 years in the Asn/Asn group, 38 years in the Asn/Ser group, and 39 years in the Ser/Ser group. Regarding the DAZL polymorphism, A/A, A/G, and G/G had the same age at menarche, age at menopause, and length of fertile period.

CONCLUSION(S): We found that genotype of FSH receptor or SNP of DAZL do not predict the age at natural menopause and duration of fertility in women. The presence of Asn680/Asn680 genotype is associated with a slightly delayed age at menarche.