Correlation of telomere length and telomerase activity with occult ovarian insufficiency

Samantha Butts, Harold Riethman, Sarah Ratcliffe, Alka Shaunik, Christos Coutifaris, Kurt Barnhart

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

107 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Occult ovarian insufficiency is associated with infertility, impaired response to ovarian stimulation,andreduced live birth rates inwomentreated with assisted reproductive technologies. Although a decline in ovarian follicle number is expected with age, the proximate causes of occult ovarian insufficiency in young women remain poorly understood. Abnormalities in telomere length and telomerase activity in human granulosa cells may serve as molecular markers for this condition. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed. Subjects (37 yr old or less) undergoing in vitro fertilization were classified as cases of occult ovarian insufficiency or controls with mechanical infertility (male or tubal factor). Granulosa cells were acquired at the time of oocyte retrieval to quantify telomere length and telomerase activity. Results: Fifty-four women were enrolled. Human granulosa cell telomerase activity was demonstrated, and lack of granulosa cell telomerase activity was associated with occult ovarian insufficiency (odds ratio, 11.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.3- 495.6; P = 0.02). Telomeres were shorter in women with occult ovarian insufficiency than in controls (relative telomere/single copy gene ratio, 1.88 vs. 3.15; P = 0.039). Conclusions: Aberrant telomere homeostasis is associated with occult ovarian insufficiency in young women. This finding is consistent with the presence of telomeric attenuation that has been shown in multiple age-related conditions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4835-4843
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume94
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2009

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Biochemistry
  • Endocrinology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Biochemistry, medical

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Correlation of telomere length and telomerase activity with occult ovarian insufficiency'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this