Susceptibility Loci for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome on Chromosome 2p16.3, 2p21, and 9q33.3 in a Cohort of Caucasian Women

In a recent genome-wide association study investigating Han Chinese PCOS women 3 loci that are strongly associated with PCOS were identified on chromosome 2p16.3 (rs13405728), 2p21 (rs13429458), and 9q33.3 (rs2479106). The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of rs13405728, rs13429458, and rs2479106 variants on PCOS susceptibility in a Caucasian cohort of PCOS and control women. Metabolic, endocrine, and anthropometric measurements and oral glucose tolerance tests were performed in 545 PCOS and 317 control women. The rs13405728, rs13429458, and rs2479106 polymorphisms were genotyped. There was no significant difference in genotype frequencies of rs13405728 and rs13429458 variants between PCOS and controls. There was a trend towards an association of the rs2479106 variant with PCOS susceptibility (p = 0.053). PCOS women with the rs2479106 GG genotype had significantly higher WHR than PCOS women carrying the AG and AA genotype (p = 0.034 and p = 0.020, respectively). Moreover, QChol/HDL and LDL levels were significantly higher in PCOS women carrying the rs2479106 GG genotype when compared to those carrying the AA genotype (p = 0.024 and p = 0.035, respectively). PCOS women carrying the G allele of rs13405728 had significantly higher AUCgluc, glucose-30 min, and AUCins levels than those carrying the AA genotype (p = 0.039, p = 0.047, and p = 0.044, respectively). In PCOS women, rs13405728 genotypes are associated with glucose and insulin metabolism. Moreover, rs2479106 genotypes were associated with increased WHR levels and an adverse serum lipid profile. Further, we observed a trend towards decreased PCOS susceptibility within carriers of the rs2479106 G-allele. Further studies in large Caucasian PCOS cohorts are warranted to confirm our findings.