Genetic association study in a three-generation family with seven members with endometriosis

The aim of this study was to investigate whether five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), associated with endometriosis, may confer new insight towards a genotype-phenotype association with endometriosis. We studied a three-generation family with seven women who had endometriosis. Blood specimens were obtained from all the affected female family members. The entire family was genotyped for five SNPs mapped to WNT4, VEZT, FSHB and IL-16 genetic loci. We further evaluated the members of the family with endometriosis and described all obstetric and gynecological complications caused by the disease in these seven women. The five SNPs analyzed did not reveal any genotype-phenotype correlation with the disease. The members of the family with endometriosis showed a variety of clinical manifestations and complications. None of the five genetic markers examined correlated genotype with phenotype in the case of the Greek three-generation family examined. Therefore, we conclude that more gene polymorphisms must be investigated in the members of this family to gain insight regarding a genotype-phenotype correlation in endometriosis and the potential development of a personalized care for the patients based on these data.