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Genes That Influence Start Of Menstruation Identified For First Time

Date:
May 21, 2009
Source:
The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry
Summary:
Researchers from the Peninsula Medical School, along with collaborators from research institutions across Europe and the United States, have for the first time identified two genes that are involved in determining when girls begin menstruation.
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FULL STORY

Two genes clarify the genetic control of female sexual maturation, and point to regulatory mechanisms involved in human growth and development.

Researchers from the Peninsula Medical School, along with collaborators from research institutions across Europe and the United States, have for the first time identified two genes that are involved in determining when girls begin menstruation. 

The findings of the study could have ramifications for normal human growth and weight too, because early-age menstruation is also associated with shorter stature and increased body weight. In general, girls who achieve menstruation earlier in life tend to have greater body mass index (BMI) and a higher ratio of fat compared to those who begin menstruation later.

The study carried out an analysis of 17,510 women across eight different international population-based sources. This number included women of European descent who reported the age at which they reached menstruation of between nine and 17 years.

The two genes identified were on chromosomes nine and six. One in 20 females carry two copies of each of the gene variations which result in menstruation starting earlier, and they will start menstruating approximately four and half months earlier than those with no copies of the gene variants.

Dr Anna Murray from the Peninsula Medical School, commented: "This study provides the first evidence that common genetic variants influence the time at which women reach sexual maturation. Our findings also indicate a genetic basis for the associations between early menstruation and both height and BMI."

She added: "The study takes us nearer to understanding the biology of the processes involved in puberty and early growth and to understand what constitutes 'normal' in growth and development."

Fellow author John Perry, also from the Peninsula Medical School, added: "Understanding the biological mechanisms behind reproductive lifespan may also help inform us about associated diseases that affect a lot of women as they get older, including diabetes, heart disease and breast cancer."


Story Source:

Materials provided by The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. John R B Perry, Lisette Stolk, Nora Franceschini, Kathryn L Lunetta, Guangju Zhai, Patrick F McArdle, Albert V Smith, Thor Aspelund, Stefania Bandinelli, Eric Boerwinkle, Lynn Cherkas, Gudny Eiriksdottir, Karol Estrada, Luigi Ferrucci, Aaron R Folsom, Melissa Garcia, Vilmundur Gudnason, Albert Hofman, David Karasik, Douglas P Kiel, Lenore J Launer, Joyce van Meurs, Michael A Nalls, Fernando Rivadeneira, Alan R Shuldiner, Andrew Singleton, Nicole Soranzo, Toshiko Tanaka, Jenny A Visser, Michael N Weedon, Scott G Wilson, Vivian Zhuang, Elizabeth A Streeten, Tamara B Harris, Anna Murray, Tim D Spector, Ellen W Demerath, André G Uitterlinden & Joanne M Murabito. Meta-analysis of genome-wide association data identifies two loci influencing age at menarche. Nature Genetics, May 17, 2009 DOI: 10.1038/ng.386

Cite This Page:

The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry. "Genes That Influence Start Of Menstruation Identified For First Time." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 21 May 2009. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090517143215.htm>.
The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry. (2009, May 21). Genes That Influence Start Of Menstruation Identified For First Time. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090517143215.htm
The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry. "Genes That Influence Start Of Menstruation Identified For First Time." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090517143215.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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