Objective: To evaluate the association between FSH efficacy and FSHR alleles.
Design: Retrospective study.
Setting: University-based fertility unit and a private center for biomedical research.
Patient(s): One hundred two women with ovarian function who were undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation (COS). Women were categorized as poor responders (< or =3 ovarian follicles at the end of the cycle) or normal responders (>3 follicles).
Intervention(s): Daily administration of exogenous FSH.
Main outcome measure(s): Number of good or poor responders.
Result(s): The allele frequency and genotype distribution of the Ser680Asn marker differed significantly between groups. Cycle cancellations were increased (21%) among women who were homozygous for Ser680 compared with Ser/Asn and Asn/Asn patients, and 36% of poor-responders were homozygous for Ser680.
Conclusion(s): The results support a role for FSHR gene in COS outcome. However, the weight of this factor is probably low. The Ser680 allele may act in concert with other environmental and genetic factors that contribute to FSH efficacy.