Search

Background: Idiopathic central precocious puberty (iCPP) presents a disproportionate advancement of bone age and maturation, as well as metabolic and endocrinological changes that may be related to effects on telomere biology., Objective: To investigate the telomere length in iCPP girls treated with GnRHa., Study Design: Observational case-control study with 85 girls, including 45 iCPP treated with GnRHa and 40 controls. It was analyzed age, height, weight and body mass index (BMI), insulin, triglycerides, testosterone, insulin resistance by HOMA, and telomere length by real-time PCR. Statistical analyses were determined by Wilcoxon test and Spearman correlation was carried out., Results: Weight, BMI, insulin level and HOMA index were higher in the iCPP than in the control group ( p  < .01); without difference between mean ages. The telomere length did not differ between iCPP and control group. However, a negative correlation was observed between the telomere length and age in iCPP ( p  = .0009) and control group ( p  = .014), and weight in the iCPP ( p  = .017)., Conclusions: We did not observe any difference in the telomere length in the iCPP and control group. Even though, some characteristics of the disease, such as increased weight and body fat, negatively influence the telomere biology.

Metaphase II oocytes (MII) from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) frequently have impaired oocyte competence. Since telomere maintenance is important for folliculogenesis, oocyte maturation, and early embryonic development, we sought to verify the implications of PCOS on telomere length and telomerase activity in immature oocytes and cumulus cells. 43 PCOS and 67 control women were included, and anthropometric, biochemical, and hormonal characteristics were evaluated. The telomere length in germinal vesicle stage (GV) and in metaphase I (MI) oocytes, as well as in the cumulus cells of immature (CCI) and mature oocytes (CCM), and in leukocytes was measured by qPCR. The telomerase activity in reproductive cells was evaluated by the TRAPeze® XL Kit. The body mass index (p = 0.001), LH (p = 0.015), estradiol (p = 0.004), insulin (p = 0.002), testosterone (p < 0.0001), androstenedione (p = 0.001), free androgen index (p < 0.0001), and c-reactive protein (p = 0.003) were greater, while the FSH (p = 0.0002) was lower in the PCOS group. The telomere length in the CCI (p = 0.649) and CCM (p = 0.378) did not differ between the PCOS and the control groups. On the other hand, telomerase activity in the CCI (p = 0.003) and CCM (p = 0.022) was higher in the PCOS group. In the leukocyte's cells, the telomere length was reduced in the PCOS group (p = 0.025). In the GV and MI oocytes, no differences were observed in telomere length and telomerase activity between the groups. We showed that telomere length is not altered in reproductive cells from PCOS. However, higher telomerase activity in the CCI and CCM may be required for telomere length maintenance.