HSD3B1 gene polymorphism and female pattern hair loss in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Background/purpose: Genetic variant of HSD3B1 1245 is known to augment androgen production at peripheral tissue as skin. This study aimed to investigate whether women with polycystic ovary syndrome inheriting this variant exhibit specific androgenic phenotypes. Methods: A cross-sectional study of Taiwanese women with polycystic ovary syndrome, defined by Rotterdam criteria, at the reproductive endocrinology outpatient clinic in a university affiliated hospital. Results: The presence of female pattern hair loss in women with polycystic ovary syndrome was significantly associated with an increased body mass index, decreased sex hormone binding globulin and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, elevated triglyceride levels, and increased prevalence of hypertension. Using stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis, body mass index, triglyceride and HSD3B1 1245 AC or CC genotype were significantly related to female pattern hair loss in women with polycystic ovary syndrome after considering other variables. Overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome had significantly higher risk of female pattern hair loss than normal-weight women with polycystic ovary syndrome. The presence of female pattern hair loss was higher in overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome who comprised HSD3B1 AC or CC genotype compared with wild type. Conclusion: Carrying the HSD3B1 1245C allele and overweight are associated with the presence of female pattern hair loss in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Keywords: Androgenetic alopecia, Female pattern hair loss, HSD3B1, Obesity, Polycystic ovary syndrome