The effects of fluoride exposure on thefunctions of reproductive and endocrine systemshave attracted widespread attention in academiccircle nowadays. However, it is unclear whether thegene-environment interaction may modify thesecretion and activity of hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis hormones. Thus, the aim of thisstudy was to explore the influence of fluorideexposure and follicle stimulating hormone receptor(FSHR) gene polymorphism on reproductivehormones in Chinese women. A cross sectionalstudy was conducted in seven villages of HenanProvince, China during 2010-2011. A total of 679women aged 18-48 years were recruited throughcluster sampling and divided into three groups, i.e.endemic fluorosis group (EFG), defluoridationproject group (DFPG), and control group (CG) basedon the local fluoride concentration in drinkingwater. The serum levels of gonadotropin releasinghormone (GnRH), follicle stimulating hormone(FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E2)were determined respectively and the FSHRpolymorphism was detected by real time PCR assay.The results provided the preliminary evidenceindicating the gene-environment interaction onHPO axishormones in women.
ZHAO Ming XuZHOU Guo YuZHU Jing YuanGONG BiaoHOU Jia XiangZHOU TongDUAN Li JuDING ZhongCUI Liu XinBA Yue