Apolipoprotein E alleles in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: To investigate the frequency of apoE alleles among women with po lycystic ovary syndrome. Design: Retrospective case-control study. Setting: University-based endocrinology/infertility clinic. Patient(s): Healthy fertile women (n = 91) and women with a diagnosis of po lycystic ovary syndrome (n = 58). Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): The presence of the three most common apoE alleles (epsilon2, epsilon3, and epsilon4) determined by polymerase chain reaction -restriction fragment length polymorphism in the two groups and in the gene ral population in our area. Result(s): The frequency of the apo epsilon4 allele was 17.2% among women w ith polycystic ovary syndrome and was 18.7% among healthy fertile women, wh ich is close to the rate in the general population in our area (19%). None of the apoE genotypes (Fisher s exact test: P = .71) or alleles (P = .78) w as significantly overrepresented, and the homozygous genotype epsilon4 was not associated with the clinical disease. Conclusion(s): The observed profiles of allele and genotype frequencies con firm the equilibrium state between apoE polymorphism and polycystic ovary s yndrome and suggest that apoE does not play a major role in the development of hyperlipidemia in the group of women with polycystic ovary syndrome. (F ertil Steril(R) 2001:75:878-80. (C)2001 by American Society for Reproductiv e Medicine.).