A digenic combination of polymorphisms within ESR1 and ESR2 genes are associated with age at menarche in the Spanish population

Reprod Sci. 2008 Apr;15(3):305-11. doi: 10.1177/1933719107314064.

Abstract

In the present study, the authors look at an association of genetic variants within estrogen synthesis and signaling pathways and age at menarche (AAM) in Spanish women. They analyzed 9 polymorphisms in 6 different genes in 714 well-characterized postmenopausal women from Spain. They performed a quantitative trait locus study of these markers individually or in digenic combinations in relation to AAM. None of the studied markers, with the exception of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (P = .013), were significantly associated with AAM in the Spanish population, and no marker demonstrated an association of statistical significance after multiple testing corrections (P > .0055). In contrast, linear regression analysis suggests epistatic interactions including ESR1 and ESR2 loci in relation to AAM in the series (P = .003). The results suggest that epistatic interactions of ESR1 and ESR2 alleles could be associated with advancing AAM among Spanish women.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aging / genetics*
  • Aging / metabolism
  • Child
  • Epistasis, Genetic*
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha / genetics*
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha / metabolism
  • Estrogen Receptor beta / genetics*
  • Estrogen Receptor beta / metabolism
  • Estrogens / biosynthesis
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Menarche / genetics*
  • Menarche / metabolism
  • Middle Aged
  • Phenotype
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Postmenopause / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Spain

Substances

  • ESR1 protein, human
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha
  • Estrogen Receptor beta
  • Estrogens