Premature ovarian failure (POF) occurs in 1% of all women, and in 0.1% of w
omen under the age of 30 years. The mechanisms that give rise to POF are la
rgely unknown. Inhibin has a role in regulating the pituitary secretion of
FSH, and is therefore a potential candidate gene for ovarian failure, Using
single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and DNA sequencing, DNA s
amples were screened from 43 women with POF for mutations in the three inhi
bin genes. Two variants were found: a 1032C-->T transition in the INH betaA
gene in one patient, and a 769G-->A transition in the INH alpha gene in th
ree patients. The INH betaA. variant appears to be a polymorphism, as there
was no change in the amino acid sequence of the gene product. The INHa var
iant resulted in a non-conservative amino acid change, with a substitution
from alanine to threonine, This alanine is highly conserved across species,
and has the potential to affect receptor binding. The INHa variant is sign
ificantly associated with POF (3/43 patients; 7%) compared with control sam
ples (1/150 normal controls; 0.7%) (Fisher's exact test, P < 0,035), Furthe
r analysis of the inhibin gene in POF patients and matched controls will de
termine its role in the aetiology of POF.