A polymorphism of apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is associated with age at natural menopause in Caucasian females

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate possible association of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene polymorphisms with age at natural menopause (ANM) in Caucasian females. Design: Four SNPs (including two replacements, SNP3 Cys112Arg and SNP4 Arg158Cys) were genotyped in 253 randomly selected unrelated Caucasian women having experienced natural menopause. The comprehensive statistical analyses focusing on the association of the APOE gene and some environmental factors with ANM were conducted. Results: Alcohol consumption was a significantly predictor of earlier natural menopause (P<0.05). One SNP (rs769450) was significantly associated with ANM according to both population based and the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) analyses (P=0.007 and 0.046, respectively). However, no association was observed between APOE epsilon 2, epsilon 3, epsilon 4 and ANM. Conclusions: Genetic variation in the APOE gene may influence the variation in ANM in Caucasian women. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.