Genotypes of vitamin D and estrogen receptors in pre and perimenopausal women from Córdoba, Argentina.

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of vitamin D receptor and estrogen receptor genotypes and their relationship with the lumbar spine or femoral neck bone mineral density in healthy pre and perimenopausal women from Córdoba (Argentina) and adjacent areas. Genotypes were assessed by restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction technique. Bsm I and Fok I for vitamin D receptor gene and Xbal and Pvull for estrogen receptor gene were used as restrictases. Two hundred and ten healthy pre and perimenopausal women were recruited and analyzed by age. Calcemia and serum parathyroid hormone did not change, but serum P and beta-CrossLaps decreased with age. Femoral neck bone mineral density decreased significantly after 30 years old. Vitamin D receptor and estrogen receptor genotype frequencies were similar to those from other Caucasian women. No association between vitamin D receptor and estrogen receptor genotypes with the lumbar spine or femoral neck bone mineral density has been detected. Analysis of interaction between vitamin D receptor and estrogen receptor genes using covariates such as age, height and body mass index did not show any influence of the combination of those genotypes on bone mineral density. Lifestyle, smoking and alcohol intake had no effect on lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density. To conclude, these data do not support the hypothesis that vitamin D receptor and estrogen receptor genotypes influence on lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density in healthy pre and perimenopausal women from this area of Argentina.