Genetic contribution of reproductive traits to risk of uterine leiomyomata: a large-scale, genome-wide, cross-trait analysis

Background: Although phenotypic associations between female reproductive characteristics and uterine leiomyomata have long been observed in epidemiologic investigations, the shared genetic architecture underlying these complex phenotypes remains unclear.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the shared genetic basis, pleiotropic effects, and potential causal relationships underlying reproductive traits (age at menarche, age at natural menopause, and age at first birth) and uterine leiomyomata.

Study design: With the use of large-scale, genome-wide association studies conducted among women of European ancestry for age at menarche (n=329,345), age at natural menopause (n=201,323), age at first birth (n=418,758), and uterine leiomyomata (n_cases/n_controls=35,474/267,505), we performed a comprehensive, genome-wide, cross-trait analysis to examine systematically the common genetic influences between reproductive traits and uterine leiomyomata.

Results: Significant global genetic correlations were identified between uterine leiomyomata and age at menarche (r_g, -0.17; P=3.65×10^-10), age at natural menopause (r_g, 0.23; P=3.26×10^-07), and age at first birth (r_g, -0.16; P=1.96×10^-06). Thirteen genomic regions were further revealed as contributing significant local correlations (P<.05/2353) to age at natural menopause and uterine leiomyomata. A cross-trait meta-analysis identified 23 shared loci, 3 of which were novel. A transcriptome-wide association study found 15 shared genes that target tissues of the digestive, exo- or endocrine, nervous, and cardiovascular systems. Mendelian randomization suggested causal relationships between a genetically predicted older age at menarche (odds ratio, 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.85-0.92; P=1.50×10^-10) or older age at first birth (odds ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.90-0.99; P=.02) and a reduced risk for uterine leiomyomata and between a genetically predicted older age at natural menopause and an increased risk for uterine leiomyomata (odds ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.09; P=2.30×10^-27). No causal association in the reverse direction was found.

Conclusion: Our work highlights that there are substantial shared genetic influences and putative causal links that underlie reproductive traits and uterine leiomyomata. The findings suggest that early identification of female reproductive risk factors may facilitate the initiation of strategies to modify potential uterine leiomyomata risk.