Objective: To determine whether the CAG repeat length of the androgen receptor (AR) gene contributes to individual differences in the susceptibility to the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Design: Retrospective case-control study.
Setting: University-based clinic.
Patient(s): One hundred six nondiabetic women with PCOS and 112 nonhirsute fertile controls.
Intervention(s): Androgen receptor gene CAG repeat length was analyzed in women with PCOS and their controls.
Main outcome measure(s): Androgen receptor gene CAG repeat length in both groups.
Result(s): The mean CAGn was 21.5 repeats in both groups (NS; t-test). Furthermore, when the CAGn lengths were divided into three categories (CAGn < or =18, 19-24, > or =25), the distribution was similar in both groups (NS; chi2 test). However, all five women carrying < or =15 CAG repeats belonged to the PCOS group. In the PCOS group, CAGn did not correlate with body mass index or serum testosterone concentration.
Conclusion(s): Androgen receptor CAGn is not a major determinant of PCOS. However, it may be a significant modulator of androgen-related diseases in some individuals.