FSHR is associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal hormones serum levels and ovarian response

Individual variability of the ovarian response to hormonal stimulation is one of the most difficult problems in planning an assisted reproductive technologies (ART) therapy. The reasons for the ovarian response variability are not fully determined and can be due to many different factors, including genetic ones. To date, it is known that follicle-stimulating hormone receptor gene polymorphism can have a significant effect on the formation of dominant follicles, including in response to ovarian stimulation therapy. The aim of this investigation was to study the association of follicle-stimulating receptor gene genetic variant FSHR c.2039A>G [rs6166] with hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal hormones serum levels and the degree of ovarian response to hormonal stimulation in women undergoing ART therapy. The study involved 141 women who underwent IVF at the Center for Human Reproduction and IVF in Rostov-on-Don, including 67 patients with a normal ovarian response (8-20 follicles), 58 with a poor response (<8 follicles) and 16 with a hyper response (> 20 follicles) to hormonal stimulation. Patients were stratified according to the number of punctured follicles >13mm. Total estimation of genotype frequencies for FSHR c.2039A>G genetic variant was: AA (41,9%), AG (39,0%), GG (19,1%); in women with normal ovarian response: AA (41,8%), AG (41,8%), GG (16,4%); in women with poor ovarian response: AA (37,9%), AG (39,7%), GG (22,4%); in women with hyper response to ovarian stimulation: AA (62,4%), AG (18,8%), GG (18,8%). An association of the FSHR c.2039A>G genetic variant with the ovarian response and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal hormones serum levels was revealed. It was shown that FSHR 2039GG genotype is associated with higher basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level, and A allele is associated with the fewer follicles number maturation. Genotype FSHR 2039GG is also associated with higher basal luteinizing hormone (LH) and progesterone levels. Women with FSHR 2039 AA genotype had higher the day trigger administration estradiol serum level.

FSHR, rs6166, FSH receptor, FSH, LH, AMH, progesterone, estradiol, infertility, IVF, ICSI, ART, ovarian response, folliculogenesis

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