Problem: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether polymorphism of MIF gene is associated with PCOS.
Method of study: The MIF-173G/C single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was detected in 529 PCOS patients and 585 healthy female controls of Chinese Han ancestry. The association of the gene variants with clinical and metabolic parameters and hormone levels was investigated.
Results: The frequencies of genotypes and allelotypes of the MIF-173G/C SNP did significantly differ between women with PCOS and healthy controls (P = 0.017 and P = 0.003, respectively). They did significantly differ between obese PCOS patients and obese controls (P = 0.029 and P = 0.039, respectively). The MIF-173 CC and CG genotypes were associated with higher body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in both PCOS patients (P < 0.001, P = 0.001) and normal controls (P < 0.001, P = 0.002). The PCOS patients with CC and CG genotypes had higher fasting plasma glucose levels (P < 0.001), higher fasting insulin levels (P < 0.001), and higher HOMA-IR (P < 0.001) compared with patients with the GG genotype.
Conclusion: The MIF-173G/C polymorphism is associated with PCOS in Chinese Han women and may contribute to the phenotypic expression of PCOS.
© 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.