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Spath MA, Feuth TB, Allen EG, Smits APT, Yntema HG, van Kessel AG, Braat DDM, Sherman SL, Thomas CMG. Intra-individual stability over time of standardized anti-Mullerian hormone in FMR1 premutation carriers. Hum Reprod 2011; 26:2185-91. [PMID: 21576079 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/der146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Carriers of a premutation (CGG repeat length 55-200) in the fragile X mental retardation (FMR1) gene are at risk for primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI). The anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level acts as a useful marker of ovarian follicle reserve and, thus, may serve to predict when this ovarian reserve becomes too low to sustain ovarian function. We investigated the intra-individual variation of AMH levels over time for premutation carriers compared with non-carriers. METHODS We determined AMH levels in blood samples from 240 women ascertained through fragile X families, of which 127 were premutation carriers and 113 were non-carriers. Linear mixed models were used to assess the effect of age and premutation status on AMH levels and to determine a modeled AMH value. The stability over time of the deviation of observed AMH levels from modeled levels, referred to as standardized AMH values, was assessed through correlation coefficients of 41 longitudinal samples. RESULTS At all ages, premutation carriers exhibited lower AMH levels. For all women, AMH was found to decrease by 10% per year. The added effect of having a premutation decreased AMH levels by 54%. The deviation of an individual's AMH level from the modeled value showed a reasonable intra-individual correlation. The Pearson correlation coefficient of two samples taken at different ages was 0.36 (P = 0.05) for non-carriers and 0.69 (P = 0.01) for carriers. CONCLUSIONS We developed a unique standardized AMH value, taking FMR1 premutation status and the subject's age into account, which appears to be stable over time and may serve as a predictor for FXPOI after further longitudinal assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Spath
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Rohr J, Allen EG, Charen K, Giles J, He W, Dominguez C, Sherman SL. Anti-Mullerian hormone indicates early ovarian decline in fragile X mental retardation (FMR1) premutation carriers: a preliminary study. Hum Reprod 2008; 23:1220-5. [PMID: 18310677 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/den050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women who carry the fragile X mental retardation (FMR1) premutation are at risk for fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency. Past studies have shown that carriers who are still cycling have increased levels FSH compared with non-carriers. As anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) has been shown as an excellent marker of ovarian decline, we examined AMH levels among premutation carriers to characterize their ovarian function. METHODS We determined the level of FSH and AMH in serum samples collected during early follicular phase from women who carried longer FMR1 repeat alleles (defined as >or=70 repeats, n = 40) and those with shorter repeat alleles (<70 repeats, n = 75), identified by DNA analysis. Comparisons were made stratified by age and carrier status. RESULTS For all age groups, AMH levels were significantly lower among longer repeat allele carriers compared to shorter repeat allele carriers (P = 0.002, 0.006 and 0.020 for women ages 18-30, 31-40 and 41-50 years, respectively). In contrast, increased FSH indicative of early ovarian decline was only evident for longer repeat allele carriers aged 31-40 years (P = 0.089, 0.001 and 0.261 for women ages 18-30, 31-40 and 41-50 years, respectively). CONCLUSIONS These preliminary data suggest that AMH levels indicate early ovarian decline among women with longer FMR1 repeat alleles; moreover, AMH appears to be a better marker than FSH in identifying this early decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Rohr
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, 615 Michael Street, Suite 301, Whitehead Building, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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Allen EG, Juncos J, Letz R, Rusin M, Hamilton D, Novak G, Shubeck L, Tinker SW, Sherman SL. Detection of early FXTAS motor symptoms using the CATSYS computerised neuromotor test battery. J Med Genet 2008; 45:290-7. [PMID: 18234731 DOI: 10.1136/jmg.2007.054676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Carriers of the FMR1 premutation allele are at a significantly increased risk for a late-onset neurodegenerative disorder, fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). This disorder is distinct from fragile X syndrome (FXS) in its molecular aetiology and clinical presentation. The primary features of FXTAS are late-onset intention tremor and gait ataxia. Associated features include parkinsonism, neuropsychological dysfunction, autonomic dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy. AIM To investigate the usefulness of a quantitative neurological test battery implemented through the CATSYS instrument to identify preclinical symptoms of FXTAS. METHODS Both premutation carriers with 70-199 repeats (62 men) and their low-repeat allele carrier siblings (27 men), identified through families with an individual affected with FXS, were tested. RESULTS As expected, because of its sensitivity, use of the instrument allowed identification of tremor in 23% of men who had not self-reported tremor, and ataxia in 30% of men who had not self-reported ataxia. Among subjects with self-reported tremor and ataxia, we found significant concordance between measures of the CATSYS system and the self-report. CONCLUSION Rates of these traits among premutation carriers and low-repeat allele carrier siblings could be identified, and are presented in this paper, along with the minimum estimates of age-related prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- E G Allen
- Emory University, Department of Human Genetics, 615 Michael Street, Suite 301, Whitehead Research Building, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
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Allen EG, Sullivan AK, Marcus M, Small C, Dominguez C, Epstein MP, Charen K, He W, Taylor KC, Sherman SL. Examination of reproductive aging milestones among women who carry the FMR1 premutation. Hum Reprod 2007; 22:2142-2152. [PMID: 17588953 DOI: 10.1093/humanrep/dem148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The fragile X premutation is characterized by a large CGG repeat track (55-199 repeats) in the 5' UTR of the FMR1 gene. This X-linked mutation leads to an increased risk for premature ovarian failure; interestingly, the association of repeat size with risk is non-linear. We hypothesize that the premutation-associated ovarian insufficiency is due to a diminished oocyte pool and examined reproductive aging milestones by repeat size group to determine if the same non-linear association is observed. METHODS We analyzed cross-sectional reproductive history questionnaire data from 948 women with a wide range of repeat sizes. RESULTS We have confirmed the non-linear relationship among premutation carriers for ovarian insufficiency. The mid-range repeat size group (80-100 repeats), not the highest group, had an increased risk for: altered cycle traits (shortened cycle length, irregular cycles and skipped cycles), subfertility and dizygotic twinning. Smoking, a modifiable risk, decreased the reproductive lifespan of women with the premutation by about 1 year, similar to its effect on non-carriers. As expected, premutation carriers were found to be at an increased risk for osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS Possible molecular mechanisms to explain the non-linear repeat size risk for ovarian insufficiency are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- E G Allen
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, 615 Michael Street, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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Allen EG, Sullivan AK, Marcus M, Small C, Dominguez C, Epstein MP, Charen K, He W, Taylor KC, Sherman SL. Examination of reproductive aging milestones among women who carry the FMR1 premutation. Hum Reprod 2007; 22:2142-52. [PMID: 17588953 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dem148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The fragile X premutation is characterized by a large CGG repeat track (55-199 repeats) in the 5' UTR of the FMR1 gene. This X-linked mutation leads to an increased risk for premature ovarian failure; interestingly, the association of repeat size with risk is non-linear. We hypothesize that the premutation-associated ovarian insufficiency is due to a diminished oocyte pool and examined reproductive aging milestones by repeat size group to determine if the same non-linear association is observed. METHODS We analyzed cross-sectional reproductive history questionnaire data from 948 women with a wide range of repeat sizes. RESULTS We have confirmed the non-linear relationship among premutation carriers for ovarian insufficiency. The mid-range repeat size group (80-100 repeats), not the highest group, had an increased risk for: altered cycle traits (shortened cycle length, irregular cycles and skipped cycles), subfertility and dizygotic twinning. Smoking, a modifiable risk, decreased the reproductive lifespan of women with the premutation by about 1 year, similar to its effect on non-carriers. As expected, premutation carriers were found to be at an increased risk for osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS Possible molecular mechanisms to explain the non-linear repeat size risk for ovarian insufficiency are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- E G Allen
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, 615 Michael Street, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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Sherman SL, Freeman SB, Allen EG, Lamb NE. Risk factors for nondisjunction of trisomy 21. Cytogenet Genome Res 2006; 111:273-80. [PMID: 16192705 DOI: 10.1159/000086900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2005] [Accepted: 03/15/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The leading cause of Down syndrome (DS) is nondisjunction of chromosome 21 occurring during the formation of gametes. In this review, we discuss the progress made to identify risk factors associated with this type of chromosome error occurring in oogenesis and spermatogenesis. For errors occurring in oocytes, the primary risk factors are maternal age and altered recombination. We review the current progress made with respect to these factors and briefly outline the potential environmental and genetic influences that may play a role. Although the studies of paternal nondisjunction are limited due to the relatively small proportion of errors of this type, we review the potential influence of paternal age, recombination and other environmental and genetic factors on susceptibility. Although progress has been made to understand the mechanisms and risk factors that underlie nondisjunction, considerably more research needs to be conducted to dissect this multifactorial trait, one that has a considerable impact on our species.
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Affiliation(s)
- S L Sherman
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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Sullivan AK, Marcus M, Epstein MP, Allen EG, Anido AE, Paquin JJ, Yadav-Shah M, Sherman SL. Association of FMR1 repeat size with ovarian dysfunction. Hum Reprod 2004; 20:402-12. [PMID: 15608041 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deh635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 313] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women who carry the FMR1 premutation allele have a significantly increased risk for ovarian dysfunction. We hypothesize that molecular characteristics of the FMR1 gene may explain this increased risk. METHODS Thus, we examined the effect of FMR1 CGG repeat size and related factors on measures of ovarian dysfunction using data from 507 women with a wide range of repeat sizes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS We found a significant positive association of repeat size with ovarian dysfunction, but have preliminary evidence that this relationship is non-linear. We suggest that FMR1 repeat size in the lower range (<80 repeats) contributes to the variation in age at menopause; thus, FMR1 could be considered a quantitative trait locus. More importantly, when repeat size exceeds this threshold, the increase in risk for ovarian dysfunction is clinically significant. Intriguingly, this risk appears to plateau, or perhaps decrease, among women with very high repeats (> or =100 repeats).
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Affiliation(s)
- A K Sullivan
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
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Allen EG. Mechanism of protection of mice against vaccinia virus by bacterial allergy. J Am Osteopath Assoc 1975; 74:452-6. [PMID: 1037714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Allen EG, Mudd S. Protection of mice against vaccinia virus by bacterial infection and sustained stimulation with specific bacterial antigens. Infect Immun 1973; 7:62-7. [PMID: 4632135 PMCID: PMC422639 DOI: 10.1128/iai.7.1.62-67.1973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In these experiments, mice which have a strong delayed-type hypersensitivity to mycobacteria were found, when elicited with old tuberculin, to be more resistant to intravenous vaccinia virus challenge than controls. This was manifest as protection from killing when large amounts of virus were injected, or as significantly less tail swelling and damage as well as lower titers of infectious virus when a lesser inoculum was used. Preliminary experiments indicate that animals sensitized with Staphylococcus aureus and elicited with phage lysate of staphylococcus are also more resistant to vaccinia infection.
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Allen EG. Preservation of Borrelia kansas and Plasmodium berghei. Appl Microbiol 1970; 20:224-6. [PMID: 5480098 PMCID: PMC376905 DOI: 10.1128/am.20.2.224-226.1970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Borrelia kansas and Plasmodium berghei have been stored after slow freezing in thioglycollate-glycerol medium for a 6-month period. During this time, 75% or more of the Borrelia remained motile, many intracellular malarial parasites exhibited amoeboid movement, and the growth pattern of both organisms in mice remained unchanged.
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Allen EG. Use of tetrazolium salts for electron transport studies in meningopneumonitis. 3. Separation and examination of large and small particles. J Bacteriol 1967; 93:754-8. [PMID: 6020572 PMCID: PMC276505 DOI: 10.1128/jb.93.2.754-758.1967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Purified suspensions of meningopneumonitis can be separated on potassium tartrate gradient into populations which are 80 to 90% large particles and those which are 90% small particles. Examination of the tetrazole reduction of both particle types indicates that the small particle has associated with it all of the enzymatic activity of the preparation; it also has associated with it most of the infectivity as well.
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Allen EG. Use of tetrazolium salts for electron transport studies in meningopneumonitis. II. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate system. J Bacteriol 1966; 92:1041-6. [PMID: 4380866 PMCID: PMC276375 DOI: 10.1128/jb.92.4.1041-1046.1966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Allen, Emma G. (Downstate Medical School, State University of New York, Brooklyn). Use of tetrazolium salts for electron transport studies in meningopneumonitis. II. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate system. J. Bacteriol. 92:1041-1046. 1966.-The conditions of electron transfer from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate in meningopneumonitis (MP) are described and compared with electron transfer from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide by this organism. The observations suggest that, in either system, there may be more than one pathway of electron flow, and that these pathways differ from those in normal membrane particulates. It was also found that after trypsin treatment, particulates from pools of normal allantoic fluids and membranes retain the normal characteristics, whereas those from pools of MP-infected fluids and membranes assume the characteristics of MP particles from fluids.
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Allen EG. Use of tetrazolium salts for electron transport studies in meningopneumonitis. I. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide system. J Bacteriol 1965; 90:1505-12. [PMID: 4285331 PMCID: PMC315851 DOI: 10.1128/jb.90.6.1505-1512.1965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Allen, Emma G. (Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, N.Y.). Use of tetrazolium salts for electron transport studies in meningopneumonitis. I. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide system. J. Bacteriol. 90:1505-1512. 1965.-Purified preparations of meningopneumonitis virus (MP) prepared from allantoic fluids of infected chick embryo reduce several tetrazolium salts in the presence of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The pattern of reduction by MP differs from that seen in normal allantoic membrane homogenates, and is inhibited by several cations but not by KCN, atabrine, amytal, antimycin A, or 2,3-dimercaptopropanol (BAL). The reduction of cytochrome c by purified preparations of MP differs from its reduction of tetrazolium salts in that the cytochrome reaction is completely inhibited by BAL and partially inhibited by amytal, atabrine, and antimycin A. The cytochrome reductase of normal allantoic membrane preparations is completely inhibited by each of these compounds.
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Allen EG. Alexander Wilson, Naturalist and Pioneer. Robert Cantwell. Lippincott, Philadelphia, Pa., 1961. 319 pp. Illus. $15. Science 1962. [DOI: 10.1126/science.136.3510.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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