Abstract
PURPOSE: DNA repair genes Minichromosome maintenance complex component (MCM) 8 and 9 have been linked with gonadal development, primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), and age at menopause. Our objective was to characterize MCM 8 and 9 gene expression in the menstrual cycle, and to compare MCM 8/9 expression in POI vs normo-ovulatory women. METHODS: Normo-ovulatory controls (n = 11) and unexplained POI subjects (n = 6) were recruited. Controls provided three blood samples within one menstrual cycle: (1) early follicular phase, (2) ovulation, and (3) mid-luteal phase. Six of 11 controls only provided a follicular phase sample. Amenorrheic POI subjects provided a single, random blood sample. MCM8/9 expression in peripheral blood was assessed with qRTPCR. Analyses were performed using delta-Ct measurements; group differences were transformed to a fold change (FC) and confidence interval (CI). Differences across menstrual cycle phases were compared using random effects ANOVA. Two-sample t tests were used to compare two groups. RESULTS: MCM8 expression was significantly lower at ovulation and during the luteal phase, when compared to the follicular phase [FC = 0.69 in the luteal vs follicular phase (p = 0.012, CI = 0.53, 0.90); and 0.65 in the ovulatory vs follicular phase (p = 0.0057, CI = 0.50, 0.85)]. No change in MCM9 expression was noted throughout the menstrual cycle. No significant difference was seen in MCM8/9 expression when comparing POI to control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed greater MCM8 expression in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, compared to the ovulatory and luteal phases. No cyclic changes were seen with MCM9. Significant differences in MCM8/9 expression were not detected between POI and controls; however, we recommend further investigation with a larger sample population.