Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Receptor Polymorphism (G−29A) Is Associated with Altered Level of Receptor Expression in Granulosa Cells

Context: Polymorphisms of the FSHR gene are associated with variable ovarian response to FSH stimulation in subjects undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. The type of ovarian response is correlated with the level of FSH receptor (FSHR) expression on granulosa cells. Objective: We investigated whether the polymorphism at position −29 in the promoter of the FSHR gene may contribute in altered receptor expression. Design and patients: FSHR polymorphism at position −29 was studied in 100 subjects undergoing IVF treatment. Association of this polymorphism with level of FSHR expression was retrospectively analyzed. Setting: The study was conducted at an academic research institute and private IVF clinic. Methods: The genotype at position −29 of the FSHR gene was studied in IVF subjects by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Total RNA and protein was extracted from granulosa cells. The relative FSHR mRNA expression was carried out by real-time PCR. The receptor protein expression was evalu...