The Study Of A Polymorphism In The CYP17 Gene And The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Objective:To evaluate the association of a polymorphism in the CYP17 gene and the polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).Methods:61 women with PCOS(test group) and 45 healthy reproductive-age women(control group) were studied.The polymorphism of-34bp in the CYP17 gene was determined with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP).Serum total testosterone(T) and cholesterol levels were measured at the same time.The prevalence of CYP17 genotypes of the test group was compared with the control group.Body mass index(BMI),T and serum cholesterol levels were compared with different genotypes of the CYP17 gene in all participants.BMI,T and serum cholesterol levels were also compared with different genotypes of the CYP17 gene in patients with PCOS. Results:The prevalence of CYP17 genotypes among PCOS and healthy women was 18.0%(A₁A₁),52.5%(A₁A₂),29.5%(A₂A₂)and 31.1%(A₁A₁),40.0%(A₁A₂),28.9%(A₂A₂) respectively.No statistical differences were observed within two groups(x²=2.7336 P＞0.05).There were no differences in BMI,T and serum cholesterol levels among different genotypes of the CYP17 gene in all subjects(P＞0.05).No differences were found in serum cholesterol levels among different genotypes of the CYP17 gene in patients with PCOS(P＞0.05).The mean BMI level of the A₁A₂ genotype was significantly lower than the A₂A₂ genotype in patients with PCOS(P＜0.05), 23.484±3.907 vs.26.733±5.137.The mean T level of the A₁A₁ genotype was significantly higher than the A₁A₂ genotype in patients with PCOS(P＜0.05).0.970±0.296 ng/ml vs 0.732±0.201 ng/ml.Conclusions:The substitution of-34bp(T→C) of the CYP17 gene might affect the pathogenesis and phenotype of PCOS.The A₁A₁ genotype associates with hyperandrogenism of PCOS.The A₂A₂ genotype associates with increased BMI of PCOS.