Collagen type I alpha 1 gene polymorphism in premature ovarian failure.

INTRODUCTION

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is characterized by amenorrhea, hypergonadotropism and hypoestrogenism in women bellow 40 years. Osteoporosis is one of the late complications of POF.

OBJECTIVE

To correlate collagen type I alpha1 (COLIA1) gene polymorphism with bone mineral density (BMD) in women with POF.

METHODS

We determined the COLIA1 genotypes SS, Ss, ss in 66 women with POF. Single nucleotide polymorphism (G toT substitution) within the Sp 1-binding site in the first intron of the COLIA1 gene was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at the lumbar spine region by dual X-ray absorptiometry.

STATISTICS

Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, Chi-square test, Spearman correlation test.

RESULTS

The relative distribution of COLIA1 genotype alleles was SS - 54.4%, Ss - 41.0% and ss - 4.5%. No significant differences were found between genotype groups in body mass index, age, duration of amenorrhea or BMD. A significant positive correlation was observed between BMI and parity.

CONCLUSION

The COLIA1 gene is just one of many genes influencing bone characteristics. It may act as a marker for differences in bone quantity and quality, bone fragility and accelerated bone loss in older women. However, in young women with POF, COLIA1 cannot identify those at higher risk for osteoporosis.