Impaired Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity in Peripheral Blood Leukocytes and Granulosa Cells in Patients With Biochemical Primary Ovarian Insufficiency

STUDY QUESTION Are telomere length and telomerase activity associated with biochemical primary ovarian insufficiency (POI)? SUMMARY ANSWER Shortened telomere length and diminished telomerase activity were associated with biochemical POI. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY POI is a result of pathological reproductive aging and encompasses occult, biochemical and overt stages. Studies have indicated telomere length as a biomarker for biological aging. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A total of 120 patients with biochemical POI and 279 control women were recruited by the Center for Reproductive Medicine of Shandong University. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Telomere length in peripheral blood leukocytes (LTL) and granulosa cells (GTL) was measured using a modified Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction technique. The relative telomerase activity (RTA) in granulosa cells was detected using a modified quantitative-telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE After adjusting for age, patients with biochemical POI (n = 120) exhibited significantly shorter LTLs (0.75 ± 0.09 vs 1.79 ± 0.12, P < 0.001; OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.43-0.68) and GTLs (0.78 ± 0.09 vs 1.90 ± 0.23, P < 0.001; OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.41-0.70) than the controls (n = 279 for LTLs; n = 90 for GTLs). Significantly diminished RTAs in granulosa cells were detected in patients with biochemical POI (n = 31) compared with the controls (n = 38) (1.57 ± 0.59 vs 4.63 ± 0.93, P = 0.025; OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.72-0.98). LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The cross-sectional nature of this study might have its limit in telomere length as well as telomerase activity along with the progressing decline in ovarian function. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS These findings suggest that telomere length and telomerase activity may be considered as indicators for progression of ovarian decline. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This research was supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) (2012CB944700), Science research foundation item of no-earnings health vocation (201402004) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31471352, 81270662, 81471509, 81300461, 81522018). The authors have no potential conflict of interest to declare.