Advanced onset of menarche and higher bone mineral density depending on vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism

Bone mineral density (BMD) at distal forearm, and weight and height of heal thy Japanese girls aged 18-19 years were measured and their age at menarche was obtained through a questionnaire, A statistically significant associat ion was found between BMD at distal radius and vitamin D receptor (VDR) gen e polymorphism at the ApaI site. The age at menarche in the population with An genotype was significantly earlier than that in the nit population. In addition, BMD was significantly dependent on the earlier onset of menarche in the population with genotype An but not in the population with genotype fin. EMD was also positively associated with the body mass index (BMI) in t he population with genotype An. Statistical analysis suggested a stronger e ffect of VDR genotype on age at menarche than on BMI. Thus, we show that VD R gene polymorphism advances the age at menarche and increases BMD in coope ration with age at menarche.