Reduced fecundity in male ALS gene-carriers

American Journal of Medical Genetics
W G JohnsonA Lazzarini

Abstract

In order to study genetic aspects in multicase families, 89 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and 214 Parkinson disease (PD) kindreds were analyzed in parallel studies. Obligate gene-carriers were identified as described previously [Chatkupt et al., 1992: Am J Med Genet 44:508-512]. There were fewer children per gene-carrier male (2.42) than per gene-carrier female (3.25, Student's t-test, P < .0003) for ALS but not for other diseases. The data taken together suggest that fecundity in ALS gene-carriers was reduced in males, possibly as a result of reduced fertility. Since childbearing is usually accomplished well before the onset of neurological symptoms in ALS, and since reduced fecundity was found in male ALS gene-carriers, these findings raise the possibility that an ALS gene might have a pleiotrophic effect on fertility in males occurring decades before the onset of neurological symptoms. Evidence is presented linking reactive oxygen species to reduced fertility in males. Alternatively, decreased or nonfunctional androgen receptors could play a role.

References

Nov 1, 1992·Journal of Neurochemistry·B Halliwell
Nov 1, 1992·American Journal of Medical Genetics·S ChatkuptW G Johnson
Jun 1, 1992·The Journal of Investigative Dermatology·M J McPhaul, M Marcelli
Jul 1, 1989·Biology of Reproduction·R J AitkenS Fishel
Dec 1, 1993·Nature Genetics·M AokiK Abe
Dec 2, 1994·Science·M E Gurney

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Citations

Jan 21, 2012·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·M A LimR G Kalb
Jun 24, 2015·Toxicology Letters·Xiang YinShangjin Cui
Feb 2, 1996·American Journal of Medical Genetics·W G JohnsonD E Mandelbaum
Feb 7, 2014·The Journal of Biological Chemistry·Sandra WhellyGail A Cornwall
Sep 9, 2020·Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis & Frontotemporal Degeneration·HIlmi UysalMamede De Carvalho

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