Whole exome sequencing in a cohort of familial premature ovarian insufficiency cases reveals a broad array of pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 50% of families

Abstract

Objective: To study the diagnostic yield, including variants in genes yet to be incriminated, of whole exome sequencing (WES) in familial cases of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Endocrinology and reproductive medicine teaching hospital departments.

Patients: Familial POI cases were recruited as part of a nationwide multicentric cohort. A total of 36 index cases in 36 different families were studied. Fifty-two relatives were available, including 25 with POI and 27 affected who were nonaffected. Karyotype analysis, FMR1 screening, single nucleotide polymorphism array analysis, and WES were performed in all subjects.

Interventions: None.

Main outcome measures: The primary outcome was a molecular etiology, as diagnosed by karyotype, FMR1 screening, single nucleotide polymorphism array, and WES.

Results: A likely molecular etiology (pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant) was identified in 18 of 36 index cases (50% diagnostic yield). In 12 families, we found a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant in a gene previously incriminated in POI, and in 6 families, we found a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant in new candidate genes. Most of the variants identified were located in genes involved in cell division and meiosis (n = 11) or DNA repair (n = 4).

Conclusions: The genetic etiologic diagnosis in POI allows for genetic familial counseling, anticipated pregnancy planning, and ovarian tissue preservation or oocyte preservation. Identifying new genes may lead to future development of therapeutics in reproduction based on disrupted molecular pathways.

Clinical trial registration number: NCT 01177891.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01177891.

Keywords: Genes in POI; hypergonadotropic hypogonadism; premature ovarian insufficiency; primary amenorrhea; whole exome sequencing.