Genetic link found between body mass and the onset of menstruation in girls
Studies have found genetic links between body mass index (BMI) and the onset of menarche (beginning of menstrual cycles in females) according to Molecular geneticist Dr. Scott Wilson from the University of Western Australia (co-author of study published this week in the journal Nature Genetics).
Dr. Wilson says that while the age of menarche is influenced by environment, it is also known to be partly effected by genetics. But the specific gene variants associated with the onset of menstruation have been somewhat unclear until now.
The scientists used "gene chips" to look for clusters of women that had similar gene codings and also started menarche at the same age. "Gene Chips" take a DNA sample and look for variations at specific points, known as SNPs, associated with menarcheal age.
The study determined the genes link to early menarche and also investigated the link between menarchael age and BMI. Previous epidemiological studies have shown that early menstruation is linked to higher body fat and shorter stature of the female.
Dr. Wilson and his colleagues found that 8 out of 10 known genetic variants associated with BMI, were also linked to SNPs known to influence the age of menarche. He says further study of the genes may reveal their role in reproductive disorders.
"The next step of the work will be to look at the precise function of the genes," he goes on to say. "Do they have a role in later reproductive life and fertility as well as age at menarche? Could they have a role in the onset of menopause?"
Prof. Peter Rogers, director of the Centre for Women's Health Research at Monash University in Melbourne, says the study identifies a series of genes we didn't previously know were associated with the age of menarche. He states, "Now medical biologists can better understand how processes like menstruation and menopause work."
Dr. Rob Norman, director of the Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Adelaide, comments that it is amazing that four papers from different population groups identified the same gene as being responsible.
