Variations in the inhibin gene in Kashmiri women with primary ovarian insufficiency.

Inhibin is a glycoprotein produced by granulosa cells and its main function is the negative feedback control of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) which has an important role in folliculogenesis. Mutation in the gene leading to decreased bioactive inhibin has been associated with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of variations in the gene in increasing the susceptibility to POI in Kashmiri women. mutation was analysed in 100 POI cases and 100 controls using PCR-RFLP and agarose gel electrophoresis. The mutation was found in 10% of POI cases with 8% having heterozygous mutation and 2% having a homozygous mutation. The frequency of mutation in healthy controls was zero. Statistically, a very significant association was found between mutation and the occurrence of POI ( = 0.0015). Moreover, the mutation was also significantly associated with high levels of FSH in POI patients ( < 0.0001). Given the significant association of mutation with the increased FSH levels and POI in Kashmiri population, we suggest this mutation can be used to identify POI variants for screening of women susceptible to POI before the disease onset and can further facilitate putative therapy for such patients.