O-089 A Genome Wide Association Study in men with unexplained infertility identifies nine SNPs at the FSHB locus to be associated with Follicle Stimulating Hormone level

This study shows that not one single SNP, but rather a genomic region has an impact on FSH serum level in men with unexplained male infertility. This effect is even more pronounced in the more severe phenotype of oligozoospermic men.Limitations, reasons for cautionThe study is restricted to men with unexplained infertility, which might cause a selection bias. Validation and functional evaluation of the eight newly identified SNPs in independent cohorts would emphasize the results more. The sample size of 742 limits detection of loci with smaller effect on FSH levels.Wider implications of the findingsThe determination of one of the nine SNPs can improve diagnostic precision in identifying men with secondary functional hypogonadism with isolated FSH deficiency. An oligozoospermic subgroup of these men would putatively benefit from FSH treatment and has to be proven in randomized controlled trials.Trial registration numberGerman Research Foundation CRU326
Source: Human Reproduction - Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research