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This Article Accepted manuscript (PDF) All Versions of this Article: ERC-07-0257v1 15/2/429    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Google Scholar Articles by Ferlin, A. Articles by Foresta, C. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Ferlin, A. Articles by Foresta, C.

A Ferlin, Histology, Microbiology and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
M Pengo, Histology, Microbiology and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
R Selice, Histology, Microbiology and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
L Salmaso, Management and Engineering, University of Padova, Vicenza, Italy
A Garolla, Histology, Microbiology and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
C Foresta, Department of Histology, Microbiology and Medical Biotechnologies, Centre for Male Gamete Cryopreservation, University of Padova, Padova, I-35127, Italy

Correspondence: Carlo Foresta, Email: carlo.foresta{at}unipd.it

Abstract

The development of testicular germ cell tumour (TGCT) is believed to be under endocrine control but definitive proofs are lacking. FSH levels are increased in numerous conditions associated with increased risk of TGCT and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the FSH receptor (FSHR) gene influence the sensitivity of the receptor to FSH. However, a possible effect of FSH on testicular carcinogenesis has never been explored. In order to analyse the possible association of FSHR polymorphisms with TGCT, we studied 188 TGTC cases and 152 controls for 12 FSHR SNPs. Only 4 SNPs were found to be informative, represented by two polymorphisms in exon 10 (Ala307Thr and Ser680Asn), and two polymorphisms in the promoter region (-114 T/C and -29 G/A). Differences in haplotype distribution were seen between TGCT cases and controls. In particular for non seminoma, the Ala307/Ser680 allele lowers the risk of the disease, alone (P = 0.014, relative risk 0.73; 95% confidence interval 0.57-0.92), or in combination with the -29 G allele and/or the -114 T allele. This study suggests for the first time that FSHR gene polymorphisms modulate susceptibility to TGCT. The variants with higher activity of the FSHR are associated with higher risk, suggesting a role for FSH in the carcinogenesis of this tumour.