No mutations found in candidate genes for dystocia

Dystocia is a disorder characterized by prolonged or dysfunctional labour. Delivery that starts late or not at all, leads to an increased risk for Cae sarean section, infant morbidity and mortality. Familial aggregations of dy stocia suggest a polygenic background. We have studied three candidate gene s for dystocia, i.e. the genes for testosterone 5-alpha reductase type 1, p rostaglandin F2 alpha receptor and endothelin 1 and performed mutational sc reening in 23 women with dystocia, of which 12 have affected relatives, No mutations were found, making it unlikely that any of these genes represent a major cause of dystocia in man.