Endocrine Abstracts

The LRP5 gene is believed to be primarily associated with bone metabolism via Wnt signalling. The latter pathway, however, seems to control various other systems outside the skeleton. We identified the C/T (c.4037:A1330V) polymorphism in the LRP5 gene using a restriction analysis of the PCR product in a cohort of 165 white untreated pre-and post-menopausal women. In a subset of 84 post-menopausal women we analysed the association between the LRP5 genotype and circulating sex-hormones including FSH and LH. All procedures have been reviewed by the Ethical Committee of the Institute.

Results: The distribution of CC, TC and TT allele combinations was 73.9%, 23.6% and 2.4%, respectively, which is comparable with other Caucasian populations. As no TT homozygote was found in the group of post-menopausal women, serum sex-hormone levels were compared between CC and TC genotypes. Carriers of the CT genotype had markedly higher circulating FSH values (mean±S.D.: 107.9±38.8 U/l) as compared with homozygotes CC (84.7±33.0 U/l) (P<0.005, ANCOVA). No associations were found between the LRP5 genotype and serum estradiol, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (or its sulphate), androstenedione and/or SHBG levels.

To conclude, serum post-menopasual FSH, but not LH levels are associated with the LRP5 gene in this study. Functionality of the gene in gonadotrope system remains to be determined.

The study has been funded by the IGA grant NR/7827-3 from the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic.