Increased mood symptoms in postmenopausal women related to the polymorphism rs743572 of the CYP17 A1 gene.

Background: Menopausal and depressive symptoms are highly prevalent after the menopause; but may vary from one population to another and genetics play a key role.

Objective: To analyze the intensity of these symptoms in relation to the genetic variants of the rs743572 polymorphism of the CYP17 A1 gene in postmenopausal women.

Methods: DNA was extracted from the whole blood of 168 natural postmenopausal women (40-65 years) and tested for the rs743572 polymorphism of the CYP17 A1 gene. Intensity of menopausal (Menopause Rating Scale, MRS) and depressive symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depressive Scale, HADS) were correlated to polymorphism genotypes.

Results: Women with the GG genotype of the rs743572 polymorphism displayed significantly higher scores for the MRS (items 5 and 6 [irritability and anxiety] and the psychological subscale) and the HADS (total and subscales).

Conclusion: The intensity of menopausal symptoms related to mood was found higher among postmenopausal women presenting the GG genotype of the rs743572 polymorphism of the CYP17 A1 gene. There is a need for more research in this regard.