Abstract

Objective. The deletion (GHRd3) or insertion (GHRfl) of exon 3 is a common polymorphism in the receptor growth hormone gene (GHR) in humans. The presence of the allele GHRd3 has been associated with the degree of responsiveness to therapy with recombinant human Growth Hormone (rhGH). The aim of this study was to determine the genotypic and allele frequencies of this polymorphism in a group of 69 Venezuelan children with short stature who were receiving rhGH. Methods. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood lymphocytes using combined method Fenol/SEVAG + Salting out. The GHR-exon 3 was genotyped using both PCR monoplex and multiplex assays. Results. Among patients with short stature, genotype frequency was distributed as follows: GHRfl/GHRfl (55%), GHRfl/GHRd3 (35%) and GHRd3/GHRd3 (10%) and allele frequency for GHRd3 and GHRfl was 0.27 and 0.73, respectively. For the control group, genotype frequency was distributed as follows: GHRfl/GHRfl (56%), GHRfl/GHRd3 (30%) and GHRd3/GHRd3 (14%) and allele frequency for GHRd3 and GHRfl was 0.29 and 0.71, respectively. The baseline clinical features of patients with short stature were similar among different genotypes found in the study group. Conclusion. The proportion of genotype and allele of the GHR gene were similar between the control group and patients with short stature, which translates that the etiology of short stature is not due to this polymorphism.