The impact of variation in the progesterone receptor gene, life history and lifestyle on endometrial function and the menstrual cycle

Interest in women's reproductive variation within the subfield of Physical Anthropology known as Human Reproductive Ecology is dominated by energetic models for fecundity that disregard genetic variation as a potential cause of differences in reproduction. Further, a strong correlation between ovarian and uterine markers of fecundity is assumed, although this assumption is not supported by the available data. A polymorphism in the progesterone receptor gene, called PROGINS, shows diminished progesterone response in vitro and is associated with a number of uterine disorders in women. To elucidate the discrepancy between ovarian and uterine markers of fecundity, carriers of the PROGINS variant were compared to non-carriers with regard to endometrial thickness and menstrual cycle characteristics. Gene-environment interactions between PROGINS and life history, lifestyle factors, progesterone levels, anthropometric measures, and physical activity were also considered. The PROGINS polymorphism was found to impact both luteal phase length and menses duration, as well as to modify endometrial sensitivity to life history factors, progesterone levels, anthropometric measures, and physical activity. These results support the notion that PROGINS diminishes progesterone response, and indicate that the polymorphism also alters endometrial sensitivity to acute and chronic energetic stress. The findings of this study indicate that Human Reproductive Ecologists must consider genetically-based variation in sensitivity to energetic stress in future adaptive models of women's reproduction.

Grantor dc:publisher

Temple University. Libraries

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Rowe, Elizabeth Jane

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Rockwell, Christie

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Weitz, Charles A.
• Nelson, Deborah B.
• Clancy, Kathryn B. H.

• Anthropology, Physical
• Endometrium
• Gene-environment
• Menstrual Cycle
• Polymorphism
• Progins
• Uterus

Statement dc:rights

• IN COPYRIGHT- This Rights Statement can be used for an Item that is in copyright. Using this statement implies that the organization making this Item available has determined that the Item is in copyright and either is the rights-holder, has obtained permission from the rights-holder(s) to make their Work(s) available, or makes the Item available under an exception or limitation to copyright (including Fair Use) that entitles it to make the Item available.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Dc Identifier Other

864885265

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarshare.temple.edu:20.500.12613/2271