Hormonal profile, the PROGINS polymorphism, and erectile dysfunction complaints: data from a population-based survey

To evaluate a potential association among the hormonal profile, PROGINS polymorphism, and erectile dysfunction (ED) complaints in a large population-based sample in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Population-based questionnaire study.

Interviews, sleep recording, and blood sample were conducted in a sleep institute.

The total study participants included 467 men.

General information was obtained through interviews, and a blood sample was collected for hormone levels, DNA extraction, and PROGINS genotyping.

The effect of progesterone and the PROGINS polymorphism on the risk of developing ED were measured by questionnaire and blood sample.

Progesterone, prolactin, testosterone, and estradiol levels did not differ between the genotype groups (T1/T1 and T1/T2+T2/T2). No significant genotypic or allelic differences were found between individuals with ED complaints and controls. Multivariate logistic regression analyses including age, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, apnea-hypopnea index, and genetic ancestry estimation, as well as the PROGINS polymorphism, confirmed the lack of association between the T2 allele carriers and the risk of ED (odds ratio = 0.80; 95% confidence interval = 0.40-1.62).

This is the first study to demonstrate the genotypic and allelic frequencies of the PROGINS polymorphism in a large population-based sample of men. The results do not support a direct role for the PROGINS polymorphism in the risk of developing ED; however, further examination of other variants within PR gene will be necessary to completely rule out an effect.