The CAG repeat within the androgen receptor gene and its relationship to cryptorchidism
Int. braz. j. urol
; 32(3): 330-335, May-June 2006. tab
Article
in En
| LILACS
| ID: lil-433382
Responsible library:
BR1.1
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
We examined the significance of the CAG repeat polymorphism in the pathogenesis of cryptorchidism. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from blood samples from 42 cryptorchid boys and from 31 non-cryptorchid control subjects. In the cryptorchid group, 7 had bilateral cryptorchidism and 6 had patent processus vaginalis in the contralateral side. To determine the number of CAG repeats, the DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced.RESULTS:
The mean CAG repeat length in the AR gene was 22.5 (range 16 to 28) in patients and 21.5 (range 17 to 26) in controls (non-significant). Patients with bilateral cryptorchidism had a mean length of 24.3 (range 21 to 26) and patients with unilateral cryptorchidism and patent processus vaginalis in the contra lateral side had a mean of 25.2 (range 21 to 28), which was statistically different from controls (p = 0.015 and p = 0.005 respectively).CONCLUSION:
CAG repeat length of the AR gene does not seem to play a major role in patients with unilateral cryptorchidism. However, in patients with bilateral undescended testis, a less functional androgen receptor through a longer polyglutamine chain may have a role in its pathogenesis. In the same way, patients with unilateral cryptorchidism a contralateral patent processus vaginalis have longer CAG repeats that might be responsible for a slower testicular descent and incomplete closure of the processus vaginalis.
Full text:
1
Index:
LILACS
Main subject:
Polymorphism, Genetic
/
Receptors, Androgen
/
Trinucleotide Repeats
/
Cryptorchidism
Type of study:
Observational_studies
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Aged
/
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Int. braz. j. urol
Journal subject:
UROLOGIA
Year:
2006
Type:
Article