Chromosomal abnormalities & oxidative stress in women with premature ovarian failure (POF).
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Date
2012-01
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Abstract
Background & objectives: Premature ovarian failure (POF) is defined as the cessation of ovarian function
under the age of 40 yr and is characterized by amenorrhoea, hypoestrogenism and elevated serum
gonadotrophin levels. The cause of POF remains undetermined in majority of the cases. This study was
aimed to investigate the type and frequency of cytogenetic abnormalities in patients with idiopathic POF
and also to study the role of oxidative stress in such cases.
Methods: Seventy five women with idiopathic POF were included in this study. Chromosome analysis was
done in peripheral blood lymphocytes by conventional GTG banding to identify numerical or structural
abnormalities. Cytogenetically normal cases were investigated for reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels
in their blood by luminol-chemiluminescence assay.
Results: Eighteen chromosomal anomalies were identified in POF patients (24%). Majority of the cases
were found to have X-chromosome abnormalities (28%). Overall median ROS range was found to be
significantly higher (P<0.01) in POF patients [50480 (120,132966) RLU/min] compared to controls [340
(120,5094) RLU/min]. Among these, 50 per cent of the POF patients had higher ROS levels, 20 per cent
had medium elevation and 30 per cent were found to have normal values comparable to controls.
Interpretation & conclusions: X-chromosome anomalies were found to be the major contributor of POF.
Oxidative stress may be the underlying aetiology in idiopathic premature ovarian failure. Thus the
results of this study highlight the role of cytogenetic abnormalities and supraphysiological levels of ROS
in causation of idiopathic POF. But the role of oxidative stress needs to be confirmed by other studies on
patients from different geographical areas and from different ethnicities.
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Keywords
Cytogenetic, female infertility, premature ovarian failure, reactive oxygen species
Citation
Kumar Manoj, Pathak Dhananjay, Venkatesh Sundararajan, Kriplani Alka, Ammini A C, Dada Rima. Chromosomal abnormalities & oxidative stress in women with premature ovarian failure (POF). Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2012 Jan; 135(1): 92-97.