Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) is a heterogeneous disorder with a variable clinical presentation due to abnormal development of the olfactory placode, abnormalities in GnRH neurons migration and dysregulation of GnRH secretion or function. Congenital HH is divided into Kallmann syndrome (KS) and normosmic idiopathic HH (nIHH) according to the ability to detect smell. Identifying the genetic cause of HH is often challenging, as approximately 50 % of cases remain unexplained.
We included 20 subjects from 18 families in whom genetic approaches used so far have not been successful in identification of genetic etiology. A clinical diagnosis of KS was made in 15 subjects and a diagnosis of nIHH was made in 5. Additional clinical features were present in 13 subjects and 12 subjects had a positive family history.
Whole genome sequencing was performed in all subjects, followed by analysis of single nucleotide variants, small deletions, insertions, and copy number variations in 366 genes with the aim of explaining the genetic etiology. In subjects with available genome-wide data from family members, we also examined intronic regions of 34 genes known to be associated with HH. Sanger sequencing was used to confirm segregation of the identified genetic variants within families.
Genetic etiology was explained in 30 % (6/20) of subjects and partially in another 45 % (9/20) of subjects. We identified nine novel genetic variants in the genes ANOS1, CCDC141, FGFR1, IGSF10, PROK2, SEMA3A, SEMA3G and SPRY4, all known HH-associated genes. We also identified a genetic variant in the candidate gene LGR4 which has not previously been associated with HH. In only two subjects, we were not able to identify genetic variants that may have contributed to the development of HH. In three subjects from the same family, we detected a deep intronic variant in the FGFR1 gene that may have contributed to their clinical presentation. However, identification of deep intronic variants is challenging based on the available data. To the best of our knowledge, deep intronic variants have not yet been identified in patients with HH.
Genetic diagnosis in HH is challenging due to high genetic heterogeneity, oligogenity and incomplete penetrance of pathogenic variants all of which was also observed in our cohort.
|